Larger-Than-Life Personality Cult Around PM Modi? What Amit Shah Said

New Delhi:

The concept of an "exaggerated personality cult" surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi - which many consider the foundation of BJP's success and a reason to advocate for a Presidential governance system -- was dismissed today by one of his closest associates and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "Such a phenomenon cannot be manufactured," he told NDTV, explaining that the Prime Minister's persona has evolved naturally through numerous challenges and experiences over time.

"Rising from extremely humble beginnings to organizational work, to contesting Sarpanch elections, to becoming an effective Chief Minister, and ultimately ascending to Prime Minister, he has accomplished numerous seemingly impossible feats. His achievements have astonished both the nation and international observers," Mr Shah stated during an exclusive conversation with NDTV CEO and Editor-In-Chief Rahul Kanwal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently been BJP's principal campaigner across various elections -- particularly in regions where the party struggled to identify suitable local leadership. Most such campaigns concluded victoriously. His powerful oratory attracts multitudes to his rallies, and his popularity has maintained remarkable stability since BJP assumed central governance in 2014.

Addressing this topic this evening, Mr Shah emphasized that personality cannot be artificially created. "Dedication, sacrifice, perseverance, and consistent effort are what make it possible," he elaborated.

When questioned about how PM Modi's character has transformed over time, Mr Shah, who has observed him since his days as a pracharak, noted that PM Modi had demonstrated excellence in every position he occupied.

"Modi ji has served as activist, organizer, Chief Minister, people's representative, and Prime Minister. He has performed exceptionally well in each of these capacities," Mr Shah remarked.

"From a grassroots activist to state Chief Minister, from organizational leadership to policy implementation, he has successfully fulfilled all his responsibilities," he continued.

"Throughout this journey, while maintaining communication of his fundamental ideology, addressing core ideological issues, confronting national challenges, and formulating solutions to the country's poverty, I have witnessed his evolution over approximately 40 years. I have observed such comprehensive development in very few individuals," he added.

PM Modi's Legacy

Regarding PM Modi's enduring legacy, Mr Shah explained that he has substantially altered the national mindset, helping eliminate the "collective inferiority complex" that had permeated the country "due to centuries of subjugation, from Mughal rule through British colonization".

While addressing an individual's inferiority complex is relatively straightforward, the challenge becomes significantly greater when it involves an entire nation, he observed.

"As India completed 75 years of independence, Modi ji envisioned the creation of a magnificent India by 2047, conceptualizing a fully developed nation and a self-sufficient country, effectively eliminating the collective inferiority complex of our people," he stated.

"Today, the 140 crore citizens of our country, especially the youth, possess the self-assurance that when we celebrate our centenary of freedom, India will stand preeminent globally across all domains," Mr Shah affirmed.

He also highlighted the Prime Minister's distinctive leadership approach. While most leaders attempt to address specific problems, comprehensive eradication of issues has rarely been attempted.

However, PM Modi has accomplished precisely this -- whether providing housing for the homeless, creating smoke-free kitchens for disadvantaged families by distributing gas cylinders, or prioritizing national security policy by separating it from diplomatic considerations, he explained.

Because of this characteristic, by the conclusion of PM Modi's third term, 7 crore people will have received housing, and 10 crore extremely impoverished individuals have been provided with gas cylinders, he noted.

And following terrorist incidents originating from Pakistan, "whether in Uri, Pulwama or Pahelgam, we responded without hesitation, demonstrating our commitment by delivering such a decisive response within less than a month that Pakistan will remember for decades," he concluded.