Modi’s Team India strategy
The PM is batting for his vision of cooperative federalism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a unique background. No other Indian PM served as the chief minister of a state for 12 consecutive years before moving on immediately to take on the mantle of leadership in Delhi. This gives him a somewhat different perspective to governance: an understanding of the centrality, importance and needs of states where most decisions and schemes of the government are implemented coupled with a macro policy outlook of being at the apex at the Centre. Modi brought this understanding to the table at the Niti Aayog Governing Council meeting on Sunday, when he emphasised the spirit of “cooperative federalism” and what he calls Team India
Discussions hovered on specific points: achieving a TB-free India; export promotion; ease of doing business; agriculture and MNREGA; kicking off Ayushman Bharat; development of the Northeast; and more. But the broader message in the remarks of both the PM and the chief ministers was this: the Centre and state need to work together, closely, if India’s development and economic goals have to met. This is often forgotten in India’s competitive political and polarised landscape. The constitutional scheme provides for division of responsibilities. Take law and order: the Centre can provide broad direction, step in when required, beef up security, but ultimately, it is a state subject. It is the same for agriculture and health delivery.
Over the past few years, with a strong Centre, Delhi has asserted its authority on issues like foreign affairs. The fact that the BJP is in power at both the Centre and by itself, or along with allies, in 19 states, lends greater convergence in policy. But it also makes the Centre more powerful. At the same time, with the recommendation of the Fourteenth Finance Commission, states have greater control over resources. The rise of regional parties has also given them greater political weight. Modi’s ‘Team India’ vision rests on maintaining the right balance between these two.