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Legislative elections in India: Narendra Modi, a beloved and controversial Prime Minister
Legislative elections in India: Narendra Modi, a beloved and controversial Prime Minister
(France 2)
Indians are called to the polls from Friday April 19 for the legislative elections. The outgoing Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is the big favorite for this election.
At each of his appearances, the crowd chants his name. Charismatic and popular, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running for a third term. A father figure, his face is displayed everywhere in India. He even had selfie stands set up across the country to be photographed alongside him. In ten years in power, Narendra Modi has forged a cult of personality around himself. Even in rural areas, he had his face printed on the bags of rice distributed to the most disadvantaged. Does this omnipresence in public space testify to an authoritarian drift of power?
One of the most influential politicians on the planet
Ultranationalist, Narendra Modi pursues a policy for the benefit of the Hindu majority. Violence against Christian and Muslim minorities has exploded in recent years. According to some specialists, he embodies more of an authoritarian figure than a democratic one. To improve his image, the 73-year-old man also uses social networks. He is now one of the most influential politicians on the planet. However, in ten years, the Prime Minister has never given a single press conference.
