What Modi 3.0 means for New Bharat
An incredibly astute Modi balanced his Council of Ministers for change and continuity while advancing Bharat’s agenda of development, democracy, and diversity at the forefront. This balance is what we call the ABCD of the Modi 3.0 Team, which we will discuss in more detail.
June 9 is a historic day for the largest democracy, with Modi sworn in as Bharat’s Prime Minister for the third successive term. At about 7:19 PM IST, Modi’s words—”I (mein in Hindi), Narendra Damodar Das Modi…”—reverberated on the grounds of Rashtrapati Bhawan. People chanted “Modi, Modi…” welcoming him back to the hot seat.
More than 5,000 guests, ranging from elitists to commoners within Bharat, and seven foreign delegations (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Mauritius, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Seychelles), attended the ceremony. Conspicuously missing was Bharat’s neighbour Pakistan, with its failed democracy and struggling economy. To make matters worse for Pakistan, its team also lost to Bharat in the T20 World Cup on June 9.
Thus, a new chapter of Modi 3.0 begins with a thunderous start, as 71 individual ministers (in addition to Prime Minister Modi) were sworn in. Their ministerial ranks include 30 Cabinet-level ministers, 5 Ministers of State (MoS) with independent charge and 36 MoS. Modi and his team must be credited for balancing Bharat’s social/ caste diversity, and geographical landscape, and acknowledging the partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Social engineering (diversity and inclusion) in the Modi team is very evident. The team comprises twenty-seven OBC ministers (including Modi), ten from SC, five from ST, four from minorities, and the remaining twenty-five from the General category, also called Suvarna. It should be no surprise that someone, especially the opposition, will question the makeup of ministers and express their displeasure.
One obvious issue already raised by the Pakistani media is the absence of a Muslim member in the ministry. However, it neglects the fact that none of the Muslim candidates contesting on the NDA platform got elected. Another concern is the representation of women—just seven ministers—which the author believes is too few. Perhaps there were not many experienced women elected in 2024.
The selection of ministers also acknowledges Bharat’s geographical diversity, with 24 states represented. Several facts stand out: the number of ministers is representative of the number of MPs elected from each state/ territory. Noteworthy is the inclusion of a minister from Kerala; the only BJP M.P. (a Christian) who got elected for the first time. Another surprise was the induction of a candidate from Punjab who lost the election.
Do not underestimate Modi as a shrewd politician and strategist. He chose a relatively larger initial Council of Ministers than in 2014 and 2019 for at least one reason: upcoming State elections, such as in Bihar, and the vision of increasing BJP’s political presence in those states. While not perfect math, it seems one minister is allotted for every four MPs from a geographical constituency.
The experience of the selected ministers is also remarkable. It is generally based on combined political experience at the state level, as a Member of Parliament, and/or continuity in the prior Modi cabinet. The average age of Modi 3.0 team is relatively lower than previous ones. Modi’s uncontested leadership is evident as he retained senior and trusted BJP ministers for Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs from Modi 2.0. These four constitute the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Modi himself.
Modi has also inducted other trusted BJP colleagues for key portfolios like Railways, Road Transport, and Agriculture, crucial for a Developed Bharat. Modi has reiterated his commitment to improving opportunities for youth, rewarding farmers, and assisting the “Vanchit (have-nots)” for upward mobility. It is no coincidence that his first official act in the PMO was signing the transfer of funds order for farmers. When he met with the Cabinet, he urged them to build new houses in both urban and rural areas. These actions, though symbolic, send a profound message that Modi is in command of Bharat’s destiny as a developed nation.
There have been speculations that Modi has weakened because BJP did not have an absolute majority and he might be constrained by the NDA partners. However, the composition of the Council of Ministers suggests otherwise. The relatively large number of ministers (72) indicates that Modi’s team can successfully lead the development agenda with speed and scale. His pick of BJP loyalists who rose through the ranks in various ministerial positions reflects mutual trust, respect, and confidence. This careful consideration by Modi establishes continuity in development, poverty alleviation, and opportunities for the youth.
Undoubtedly, Modi 3.0 and his team are poised to move Bharat forward. Modi is unstoppable, and so is his team of ministers and their development agenda. The emerging new Bharat in 2014 under Modi can not only dare to dream but realize its rightful place in geopolitical leadership.
Today, no leader in regional and global groups like G20, ASEAN, or BRICS has the stature, reputation, calm, decisiveness, experience, and charisma to create unanimity in diversity as Modi does. It was remarkable that, for the first time, the G20 in Bharat had unanimous approval of all action items.
The ABCD is not just an acronym but a beautiful beginning of Modi 3.0 with remarkable and endless possibilities for the new and transforming Bharat. Together, let us hail the Modi 3.0 team and Bharat’s inevitable rise as a developed nation by 2047 or sooner. Let no one believe that Modi 3.0 is going anywhere for the next five years.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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Formerly, a researcher in Italy, Japan, and France, he has widely travelled and came to the US in 1978. He was a faculty and academic administrator in several different universities in PA, TX, NJ, MN, WI, and NY, and an Executive Fellow in the White House S&T Policy during the Clinton administration.
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Modiji is back his team intact. we R eagerly awaiting the reforms in his 1st 125 days. Jai Bharat.
Modiji is back his team intact. we R eagerly awaiting the reforms in his 1st 125 days. Jai Bharat.