Bhubaneswar: When the INDI Alliance led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s always charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi with lack of teamwork in his govt, and termed the Modi govt as one-man show, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi debuting into the podcast world conversing with the Zeordha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on the show “People” revealed big.
Though Nikhil, who at the outset made it amply clear that his podcast is not a traditional interview, and he not a journalist, he did delve on the topic of politics, albeit differently.
When Nikhi put the general question to PM Modi about what is the essential talent a youth must have to don the robes of political leader, conversing with Nikhil, PM Modi explained the nuances very subtly –
“These are two different things, becoming a politician is one part and being successful in politics is another thing. So one is to enter politics, the other is to be successful.”
Modi, a highly successful political leader, then listed out that “you should actually be a good team player” to become a successful politician.
The PM explained then explained the nuances of successful political Ieader: Dedication, commitment, and partner of the people in their joys and sorrows.
PM Modi then highlighted BIG. He said winning an election doesn’t guarantee success to a politician.
“If you say that I am a great warrior and I will run everyone, everyone will obey me, and then it is possible that his politics will work, he may win the election but there is no guarantee that he will become a successful politician.”
Sketching out the evolution of political leaders in India since Independence, PM said:
“All the stalwart leaders in our country were leaders who emerged from the freedom struggle. So their thinking, their maturity, its form is different, completely different, whatever we hear about their behavior, there is a very deep sense of dedication towards the society.”
The PM then added that my opinion is good people should keep coming into politics but they should come with a mission, not with ambition.
Explaining mission versus ambition, Modi said mission will make you capable of doing or achieving something, ambition cannot.
MAHATMA GANDHI Vs TODAYS POLITICIANS
In his conversation, PM Modi said Mahatma Gandhi does not fit into the definition of a political leader of today's era.
“Mahatma Gandhi does not fit in it. Personality wise, he was thin and had almost no oratory skills, so if we look at it from that perspective, he could not have become a leader. So what was the reason?
PM Modi then said, his LIFE used to speak and this life-power made the whole country stand behind this person.
WON PEOPLE’s CONFIDENCE WITH LIFESTYLE, NOT ORATORY SPEECH
PM Modi said, nowadays, the form of a politician is seen in the big professional category – he should be able to give flowery speeches,
Modi then said, “this works for a few days, people get applause, but ultimately it is way of Life one lives with that does the work.”
He then went on to add that, “my opinion is that communication is more important than speech and oratory, how do you communicate.”
Recalling the Father of Nation, PM said, “Mahatma Gandhi used to hold a stick in his hand which was taller than himself, but he used to advocate non-violence, it was a big contrast, but he used to communicate.”
Mahatma Gandhi had a political field, he was a politician but not a ruler. He did not contest elections, he was not in power but the place that was built after his death was named Raj Ghat, he added
Moreover, the PM said, “Mahatma Gandhi never wore a cap but the whole world wore Gandhi cap. He had the power of communication.”
BOTTOMLINE: In the conversation, which tough has not poltical tadka, with Nikhil Kamath, but PM Modi has very subtly rejected all the charges opposition leveled against him. Oratory is not winning big for him. Rather, it is the political life system he is living with, which is behind the success in elections after elections.
The PM also negated the criticism of authoritarianism in his govt. The PM otutlined ‘Teamwork’ a requisite trait of a successful politician.
In a way, showing the communication skills, PM Modi answered his detractors without taking name or touching the topics.
