Teflon PM 

Despite the deep economic and social impacts of Modi govt in major policy decisions, people are not criticising him and this is a very unique situation. Where only the credit for +ve results go to PM Modi and not the credit for -ve results. So many political journalists and experts claimed that "PM Modi has developed a Teflon image" which is a term used frequently in political science. 

Basically, Teflon is a chemical compound (C2F4)n which you can usually see in non-stick frying pans. Hence Teflon leaders are the ones, on whom criticism never sticks to, no matter how much they are criticised. On the other end are velcro leaders. (velcro- found in footwear, gets for fastening) on whomever, the slightest form of criticism sticks to their image. As a result, the deep impact on the Indian economy due to COVID-19 might have very less effect on PM Modi's political ambitions. The main reason behind this is PM Modi is not just a political leader, he is almost a spiritual leader too!!

On 8th Nov 2016 PM Modi announced that ₹500 & ₹1000 currency notes will be withdrawn. After one month the same story happened in Venezuela too where the president announced the cancellation of 100-bolivar currency notes as those notes were in the mafia's possession. But after this announcement people came on roads to protest against this decision. But no such protest happened in India. People supported these decisions and despite knowing that demonetisation neither brought back black money nor infiltration was under control and even the other objectives of Govt. were not completed, despite all these many did not criticise PM Modi, they felt "at least Modi was trying"

Researchers fell that such leaders have some common aspects They are seen as extroverted and outgoing which appeals to voters. And other factors like Nationalism, Hindi authoritarianism, control over media, financial advantage & a weak opposition.

 Even the way and choice of words PM Modi uses the Hindi language are responsible for his spiritual image For eg. To describe the problems of migrant workers, PM Modi used the words "Tyaag, Tapasya, Agni Pariksha" Demonetisation a "Yagna" against corruption. Even when he gave a speech in support of corona worries, he asked people to perform 7 activities which were almost similar to asking people to take 7 promises (vows), He even uses many religions text like-- ("The war in Mahabharat was won in 18 days, this war against corona will take 21 days") All these things help in developing his spiritual image.

2nd thing is the way he phrases his sentences, Benjamin Franklin used an important tool in his political career and now its called " Benjamin Franklin effect" according to this if you ask a favour from someone and if that person accepts to help, then the chances of them accepting your 2nd request for favour also increases and they would start liking you more. And through his policy announcements, PM Modi doesn't give us an instruction nor an order but he asks us for a REQUEST!

For Swachh Bharat Abhiyan he requested us 2hrs of our time every week, He requested us to return LPD subsidies, and even made a similar appeal to clap for corona warriors. And through such appeals where PM Modi asks us for favours, there are 2 advantages, 1st- his likeability increases as per benjamin franklin effect and 2nd many responsibilities are moved from the PM towards the citizens so even if their policy schemes don't work out, the Govt. will not be the only one responsible for it, some portion of blame would be on citizens as well

3rd thing is he disassociates himself from the results. PM Modi doesn't give full details of any scheme like the Atmanirbhar package, PM Modi kept his focus on the number-20 lakh crore, but presenting the details was the responsibility of Finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman. Due to this when the performance of the Govt. is criticised, that criticism is not directed towards PM Modi instead, it's directed towards the minister. 

An ideal political environment is not the one in which all leaders are on the Velcro side instead, they should be in the middle of this scale. To do this, their supporters will have to start finding faults with them for a decision they are responsible and their opponents will have to stop criticising them for the decision, these leaders were not responsible for. Maybe then, there would be a change in this spiritual image of PM Modi.