‘Chain ki zindagi jio, roti khao warna meri goli to hai hi (Live peacefully, eat your bread or I am ready with bullets).’

These words uttered by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in a live broadcast from the border district of Bhuj went viral throughout the country and the globe. His detractors may insist that the discourse resembled Hindi film dialogues, but messages like these fill a large section of Indians with pride.

Was it a coincidence that it was the day PM Modi completed 11 years in office in Delhi? He will complete the first year of his third term next week. Last June 9, when he assumed office, his opponents were gloating. They felt a golden opportunity was just around the corner to snatch the crutches the NDA allies provided to the BJP that was short of a simple majority in the Lok Sabha. A year later, that idea seems hollow and distant. Consider the Waqf bill.

Despite reluctance from the NDA allies, the Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party, the BJP neither backed down nor toned down its aggressive stance. Modi has crafted his communication and administrative style assiduously and with great patience.

If you have any doubts, please look at his years in power since 2001 to date. He has kept using a language that establishes him as a straight-shooting and strong leader among his voters. Traditionalists may frown on his style, but in a democracy, voters decide what’s acceptable or not. What can be a bigger stamp of approval than that Modi hasn’t lost a single election to........

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