India needs sound policies and not a growing personality cult

Hi Again,.. I dont think my opponent has read my argument thoroughly. I have explained in detail why a personality cult is dangerous for political progress in India. If my opponent still believes that a personality cult like Modi is beneficial to India's social and economic growth, then I would ask her/him to express her/his opinion in detail(with examples) so that I will be able to respond to it. My opponent said, "....for implementing a good policy, you require a leader who is capable of keeping all others in contact.And for that you need a strong personality." I completely agree with this view. A good personality always helps immensely in decision-making. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "A genuine leader is not a searcher of consensus, but a moulder of consensus." A good personality can do just that, but when a leader with a personality cult comes into play, things start getting real messy real fast. Such a leader can influence many key parliamentary decisions by gaining the trust and support of the majority. Sadly, the decisions that (s)he will make, will not be in the best interests of the general public. When too much power lands in the hands of just one person, it's misuse is inevitable. My opponent also said, "....we all very well know how perfect the Gujarat model is." I have discussed briefly of the illusion of the Gujarat model in my previous argument. I am further explaining my concerns regarding it. 1. The Gujarat model is called the 'Gujarat' model as it is applied to Gujarat. The reason for the economic stability of the state, is because of the nature of Gujaratis to business. This is a fact known throughout India, and I am sure my opponent is aware about it too. But the fact remains, that this trend was prevalent for a long time before Modi came to power. The present Gujarat government is hence taking credit for something that they did not do. 2. Both Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu did better than Gujarat on the overall growth story, but Gujarat has excelled in agriculture. Herein lies another discrepancy. More than 50% of the land in Gujarat consists of Black clayey soil. This type of soil has high water retention properties, and hence agriculture flourished in Gujarat as a whole. But the agricultural model that the Gujarat Government employed for this soil can only be applied to land in the Deccan Plateau. The rest of the country, consisting of many soil types cannot operate under the same model. Models are already in place and are gradually being carried out, and will only be disturbed by new policies by the inexperienced Modi Government. Read more at: http://www.mapsofindia.com... and http://www.firstpost.com... 3. The 2002 riots is the most fatal failure of the Gujarat government. Today Gujarat has the lowest "Muslim rural poverty rate among all states. Its overall poverty rate for Muslims (11.4 percent) was far lower than for Hindus (17.6 percent)." 4. The Government of Gujarat believes that efficient economic growth ultimately trickles down to all segments " but in the interim the state clearly has lower human development indicators (HDI) than it should. Among Indian states, Gujarat figures in the middle category of states " far below Kerala's 0.790 at 0.527, and also below Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (0.572 and 0.570), but above Karnataka (0.519). Gujarat model of trickle down is not good enough to lift the really poor " socially and economically " out of their misery quickly. Here, Modi"s critics do have a point. Gujarat ranks 11th among 23 states in HDI. 5. In power, the BJP candidate displayed an alarming disregard for the rule of law, was blamed for exploiting dozens of barely-investigated extra-judicial killings for political gain, swept away criticism of his crony capitalism, surrounded himself with religious zealots and exaggerated his role in economically developing his home state. Plus, comments made by his key allies during the election campaign illustrate that a Modi government will be much less tolerant of criticism, hostile towards press freedom, and further polarize the country along religious lines. Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com... 6. Gujarat was declared the most polluted state in 2010, and three of its rivers were found to be the most polluted in India. There have also been accusations of crony capitalism amid allegations the government handed out contracts to Modi allies at rock-bottom prices. 7. There is little chance that Modi will change his style of governance. Rather than welcome change,he will employ 'bully politics', and this is the most worrying prospect of all. My opponent claims the Gujarat model is perfect. But from the above points, it is clear that it is not so. Apart from these points, I have nothing more to put forward at this point. If my opponent rebuts or comments on these pressing issues of nation, then I will put forward more points. Until then, it is over to CON and her/his other arguments.