That is what Margaret Thatcher did. I have seen her myself address factory gate meetings in London and Manchester where she was heckled no end. But she did not flinch. In fact, as the meetings progressed, she began drawing applause from the very same workers, not because they agreed with her, but because of her guts. And ultimately she won.
Reforms are a controversial business.
When you sell a public sector corporation like Steel Authority of India worth thousands of crores, you affect the lives of thousands of families. Some lose their jobs, some lose their homes. Generations that have worked at the same place for years are suddenly without anyone to look up to. They become displaced persons. This is a heavy cost the society has to pay for what are after the sins of politicians.