India witnessing birth of second republic under Narendra Modi: Dr Sanjaya Baru

PANAJI: Sanjaya Baru, author, policy analyst and former media adviser to former PM Manmohan Singh, said on Saturday that the second phase of India's republic has begun under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I firmly believe this era with Narendra Modi at the helm is the birth of India's second republic. Lok Sabha 2014 marked the end of the 'Nehruvian' dynasty. Our nation's first phase of being a republic lasted from 1950 to 2014, the second phase has begun and we are yet to see how it will grow and flourish. I don't see any Constitutional changes but the political processes in the country have already begun to change," said Baru when quizzed by attendees of the re-launch of his book ' The Accidental Prime Minister'.

Baru backed his theory with the reason that many regional party patriots are aging and it would be difficult for their heirs to continue their legacy. This would mean BJP taking over many states that are presently dominated by regional parties. "The Congress has no future in Andhra Pradesh—it is over! There is a fundamental change among the people that will last forever," he said.

"The present government at the Centre needs to focus on educating every Indian, providing for their health and building decent cities if it wishes that India overtakes China by 2050," Baru said in conclusion.