Working faithfully is not enough, seize the narrative.

Ideas are important in a democracy but telling a good story is more important, writes a professor. He gives the examples of Ronald Reagan, who promised to bring down taxes and to lower inflation by raising rates, of Bill Clinton, who coined the slogan," It's the economy, stupid " and of Barack Obama, who brought hope to African Americans that anyone could aspire to the highest office in the land. In 2012 a video of Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, saying that 47% of people pay no federal income tax was leaked to the media which was quickly seized on by the Democrats to portray him as a wealthy man out of touch with the electorate. Obama easily won re-election. Romney was right. 47% of people earn too little to pay tax. Today Donald Trump has won primaries in 5 states with near 60% of votes. He was able to see that Americans are unhappy with the economy, and worried about their future, and promise a prosperous future by bringing jobs back to the US. Mr Modi was elected Prime Minister in 2014 because of his promise of reducing corruption and increasing jobs but he is allowing the opposition to define the narrative at present. This is causing a lot of frustration for supporters of Modi. No one can understand why he has not worked vigorously to expose the crimes committed by the Congress and its allies during their 10 years in power. Thus Mr Rahul Gandhi, a man who has never worked in his life is able to brand the government as 'suit, boot ki sarkar'. He promised voters that he will deliver," Shirt ki sarkar, chappal ki sarkar, kurt-pajama ki sarkar." Of course, he will. And it will be a great improvement. For the last 68 years, of which the Congress has been in power for 55 years, it has delivered a langoti ki sarkar, so anything more will be welcomed joyfully. By passing the Land Acquisition Act the Congress has made it impossible for farmers to sell their land, so that they remain locked in a cycle of poor monsoon, failed harvest and borrowing from local moneylenders, which leads to either suicide or generations of bonded labor. " In the fever swamps of the far right, many people believe that the Nehru-Gandhis deliberately kept India backward in order to nurture a poor and ignorant vote bank," supporters hoot in derision. Are they wrong? Despite seeing the Soviet Union disintegrate and socialism failing miserably in Brazil and Venezuela, which has introduced a 2 day week, why do they still continue with their toxic policies? The Congress will not allow any bill to be passed by disrupting the Rajya Sabha. Mr Chidambaram is still defending his role in altering an affidavit on Ishrat Jahan, a terrorist. He sees nothing wrong in being guilty of treason. If he wants to improve India Mr Modi has to seize the narrative. Expose the crooks, the rogues and the traitors.