Letters: The prestigious PM post

There is considerable discussion among the press and the public about the performance of the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In my opinion, one outstanding achievement is the fact that he has restored prestige to his post. In the previous regime, the image of the prime minister's post was shattered to the extent of the incumbent being at the receiving end of jokes associated with a particular linguistic community in the country. International journals and dailies made uncomplimentary references to him. He had no authority over his ministers since they were all appointed by the leaders of the parties constituting the coalition government.

On the eve of the previous prime minister leaving for Brazil to sign an important agreement, one minister raised questions, asking how India and Brazil could engage in economic cooperation since they were competitors in international trade. In the normal course, the prime minister should have dismissed him for his impertinence and for embarrassing him. Instead, his office issued a meek explanation saying that it was the minister's personal opinion and did not reflect the government's view.

On another occasion, an ordinance - approved by the Cabinet and awaiting the approval of the President - was torn as a piece of nonsense by a young leader belonging to the dynasty. Later, it had to be withdrawn. The prime minister should have asked him to apologise or else he should have resigned from the post.

Modi has reconstructed the image of the post brick by brick and today he commands universal respect like Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

A Seshan Mumbai

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