Modi magic is on the wane. He is getting exposed more and more. Arrogance and ruthlessness have limits. The subjugation of institutions including ECI, courts, media, buying of legislators, bullying weak politicians are not infinitely elastic. It will break after certain points.

BJP is losing its grip in UP. Farmers agitation, Covid are still headaches and the pain in their neck is showing up in their aggressive reactions. The courts are intervening in the distribution of oxygen cylinders. It may even extend to unfair distribution of funds, GST to States.

There is truth in what Prashant Kishore said in an interview recently. ‘I must say Amit Shah is a most overrated political and poll manager. A disaster. What does he have to show for his great and fabled election management?’ He ignored Shah’s micromanagement skills.

PK adds: Shah has the most charismatic leader in Modi; has humongous resources, an elaborate party network supported by the Sangh; has the backing of the government and its agencies, an ECI playing footsie and still he lost! That must tell you about Shah and his reputation.

His point on Modi’s charisma is questionable. Some basic characters one needs for charisma. Modi imposes his presence; he exploits basic weaknesses of people, institutions; he is dynamic in leading to disasters; he makes people’s lives uncomfortable. His smiles are artificial.

Maybe a businessman has to appreciate the product he first launched. That way PK contributed to Modi the disaster that struck India in 2014. He was not charismatic but a smart opportunist who could lie and fool all to fill in the vacuum. His thuggery, venom was total In 2019.

Modi is not a mass leader. He gained mass as part of the cancerous growth infected by RSS scientifically and methodically fooling people with lies and propaganda. They exploited the weakness of every party, politician, non-politician, people with clever, cunning manipulations.

Electoral wins alone do not make people charismatic. Modi will be insignificant once he loses power. The charisma extends beyond your own territory and group. The contempt with which even foreign dignitaries treat him and avoid him shows how charismatic a figure he is.

Many leaders have come and gone. Not everyone is remembered. If there is someone who will be remembered and hated for his bad deeds, Modi will definitely be the one in Indian politics. He has hurt millions through his hate transfers, breathing and spreading hatred.

The problem is within us. Very few stand boldly against Modi. Once an old man told Vivekananda ‘Fight your fears’ when monkeys chased him. When he stared at the monkeys they ran away. Most of our leaders are searching for courage. Some join monkeys, start mimicking like them.