Since January Prime Minister Modi held several rounds of meetings and discussions with the various stakeholders in order to find ways and means to fight COVID-19. The first thing he did was to work out a strategy. First he cajoled the people to observe one day Janata curfew voluntarily. The next step was to prepare the country for the 21-day lockdown, now extended till May 3, which the 1.3 billion Indians faced for the first time. He imposed it with all apologies. He addressed the people directly thrice in the past month and convince people that the nation has to sacrifice to save the lives of the people. Then came the tricky issue of continuing the lockdown for another two weeks, as most chief ministers wanted it.

There was also the question of getting the cooperation of the chief ministers. After all, health is the state subject and without their unstinted cooperation, the Coronavirus could not be tackled when the country is unprepared. Though the Prime Minister had advocated cooperative federalism and competitive federalism in the past six years it was not practiced in earnest, as most non – BJP ruled states accused the Centre of playing politics. There had not been too many meetings with the chief ministers in the past six years. So taking them all on board were indeed very important. He had three meetings with the chief ministers on the strategy and also lockdown exit trying to emerge as a team leader and a consensus builder. Modi, on his part, praised different states for extensive teamwork. The chief ministers too understood the nature of crisis and the need to show their leadership in their states. But now they are asking for more funds, we have to see how the Central funds will be distributed for the huge relief and rehabilitation work.

Prime Minister Modi never showed much inclination in dealing with the opposition either in Parliament or outside. The opposition was divided and weak with the main opposition party the Congress facing a leadership crisis. Despite that, in a rare gesture Modi showed maturity in taking them into confidence and briefed them on the measures taken by the government and also sought their views for lockdown exit. The opposition including the Congress was forced to support. But this was followed by muted criticism on several steps taken by the government like the plight of the migrant labour, need for financial package to the affected etc. For the first time perhaps, Modi also sought the support of the media and briefed the top editors and media barons on the measures taken by his government. In a rare gesture, he even praised the role of the media in reporting the crisis.

Modi even roped in the religious leaders in the fight against coronavirus. He asked the chief ministers to convene a meeting of religious leaders and ask them to convince their followers to follow the government guidelines.

For his image in the international community, Modi has revived the SAARC and established his leadership in the region at the time of the pandemic outbreak. The other members too had come on board including Pakistan. He has also briefed several world leaders like Trump, Netanyahu and others.

Now the crisis is entering into a difficult period after the lockdown exit. The coming months will be a testing time. There is some exit plan but the real problem is livelihood and sliding economy. The poor need the basics like food, clothing and shelter and this is where the government’s priority comes. This is where the government should deliver in the coming days. Millions of jobs need to be generated. With an expected huge slide in the global and Indian economy, huge money needs to be injected without any delay. It is not enough just to disburse the money to the states but also ensure that that the delivery is ensured.

For the prime Minister and the chief ministers the present crisis is both a challenge and an opportunity. The public has to pass through the worst ever pandemic. Modi had underlined during his virtual meeting with the chief minister the motto of the government from the earlier stand of “Jaan Hai to Jahaan hai.” To now “Jaan bhi jahaan bhi.” This should indeed become the goal. (IPA Service)