Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a rough year. In early 2017, he had to deal with the fall out of a currency demonetization program that wreaked havoc on the common man and slowed economic growth. The BJP did not get the desired results in Gujarat election.
The tax reform roll out had more than its fair share of glitches and is still hurting small businesses, the backbone of the economy.Finally, Modi had to bow down to the public opinion and make some changes in GST.
Despite these stumbles, Modi’s popularity ratings remain sky high, and Indians are among the most optimistic about their future in the world, according to polling from Pew Research Center.
After years of policy sclerosis, many Indians might simply be pleased to see a prime minister “doing something” to break the logjams to India’s development, willing to countenance short-term loss for long-term gain.
Modi remains an excellent showman who knows how to touch populist and nationalist nerves. Whatever the case, for his uncanny ability to remain popular while enacting ambitious reforms that could finally unleash India’s true economic potential.
It is predicted that Modi should win the emerging world’s person of the year.
