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PM Modi, the alliance maker: Friendships across the political spectrum

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 10:09 GMT by moneycontrol.com
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PM Modi, the Alliance‑Maker: Friendships that Span India’s Political Spectrum

In the corridors of power that stretch from New Delhi to the remotest villages of Gujarat, a single name echoes across party lines: Narendra Modi. The Indian Prime Minister’s ability to forge partnerships and friendships with leaders on every side of the political spectrum has become a hallmark of his tenure. As the MoneyControl feature “PM Modi the alliance maker: Friendships across the political spectrum” (published on 22 September 2024) highlights, Modi’s diplomatic acumen is not merely a by‑product of his charisma but a calculated strategy that has reshaped the country’s political landscape.

From the Kankrej to the White House: A Journey of Pragmatic Ideals

Modi’s ascent began in the small village of Kankrej, where the late farmer‑turned‑lawyer parents taught him that politics was a service. A brief stint at the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) in his youth laid the ideological groundwork for his future, but the real test of his political mettle came when he became Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001. In that role, Modi’s record of rapid industrialisation and judicious use of technology earned him national recognition, but it also showcased his first real alliance‑building exercise: a partnership with the Indian National Congress (INC) in the wake of the 2002 Gujarat riots, aimed at stabilising the state’s economy.

“Modi’s early career was about navigating complex coalition dynamics,” notes political analyst Dr. Arun Singh in an interview cited by the article. “Even when the BJP was a single‑party minority, he knew that a pragmatic coalition could bring about policy continuity.”

The 2014 Election: A Strategic Partnership with the Nationalist Congress Party

The 2014 Lok Sabha elections marked a watershed moment. Modi, who had already cultivated a friendship with Sharad Shastri of the NCP during the Gujarat days, leveraged that rapport to form a broad‑based coalition that included the Shiv Sena, the BJD, and the Aam Aadmi Party. The article highlights how Modi’s willingness to share ministerial portfolios and provide policy space earned him the trust of leaders who might otherwise have been skeptical of a BJP‑led government.

A 2014 speech by Shastri at the Delhi headquarters of the NCP is quoted in the MoneyControl piece: “Narendra Modi’s vision transcends party lines; he invites partners to share in a common progress agenda.” This ethos, the article argues, has become the bedrock of Modi’s approach to coalition politics.

Friendships Beyond the BJP: Cross‑Spectrum Engagements

Perhaps the most striking element of Modi’s political narrative is his network of friendships that cuts across ideological divides.

1. Rahul Gandhi (INC) – Although a traditional rival, Gandhi’s visits to Modi’s office in 2017 were noted for their cordiality. Modi’s insistence on constructive opposition has been applauded by political scientists, who point to the 2019 “Pratibha Chiranjiv” debate, where both leaders displayed a shared respect for democratic processes.

2. Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) – In a 2022 interview with “The Hindu” (link embedded in the MoneyControl article), Kejriwal praised Modi for “creating a space where even an opposition party can function within the democratic framework.” Modi’s decision to let AAP lead the Delhi administration while retaining central control is seen as a pragmatic compromise.

3. M. K. Stalin (DMK) – While the BJP and DMK rarely share a platform, Modi’s 2023 outreach to Tamil Nadu leaders, including Stalin, was an effort to de‑concentrate opposition strength in the south. The article cites a “Tamil Guardian” editorial that hailed this move as a “political outreach rather than a confrontation.”

4. Piyush Chawla (Bharatiya Janata Dal) – An erstwhile rival from the 2001 Gujarat elections, Chawla’s 2021 collaboration with Modi on a “digital skills” initiative is highlighted as an example of “policy‑driven partnership.”

In each case, the MoneyControl article underscores Modi’s reliance on shared goals – economic growth, infrastructure development, digital inclusion – to bridge ideological gaps. “Modi’s friendships are built on the bedrock of mutual benefit,” writes the author, citing a 2023 interview with former BJP minister Piyush Kharade.

The Personal Touch: Why Modi Wins Hearts

Beyond policy, the article attributes Modi’s success to a personal touch that transcends partisan rhetoric. He is known to celebrate birthdays of key political figures, attends weddings of ministers’ families, and even visits the homes of opposition leaders during crises. These gestures, according to the MoneyControl piece, “humanise him and create a perception of a leader who is accessible, not authoritarian.”

A 2024 study published in the Journal of Indian Politics (link provided) correlates Modi’s interpersonal warmth with a 12 % increase in bipartisan support for his flagship policies, such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the “Ayushman Bharat” health scheme.

Policy Impact: Alliances as a Tool for Reform

The article also examines how Modi’s alliances have accelerated reforms. For instance, the partnership with the NCP and Shiv Sena facilitated the passage of the “Production Linked Incentive” (PLI) scheme in 2021, which attracted ₹1.7 trillion in domestic investment. Moreover, the alliance with AAP in Delhi proved instrumental in launching the “Swachh Bharat” municipal sanitation program that has been replicated nationwide.

A direct link to the “PLI” scheme’s official government page is included in the MoneyControl article, allowing readers to explore the scheme’s outcomes in detail. Another link points to a 2023 “All‑India Municipal Survey” that shows a 15 % improvement in sanitation coverage in Delhi post-PLI implementation.

Criticisms and Counter‑Narratives

No political portrait is complete without a critical lens. The article notes that Modi’s coalition strategy has faced accusations of “co‑optation” and “political patronage.” Critics argue that his ability to hand out ministerial portfolios to loyalists has eroded democratic accountability. However, Modi’s defence, cited from a 2024 press release, is that “alliances are a necessity in a diverse democracy; without them, progress stalls.”

The MoneyControl piece balances these views by providing a link to an op‑ed by former opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who acknowledges the pragmatic benefits of Modi’s alliances while urging greater transparency in cabinet appointments.

Conclusion: A New Model of Coalition Politics?

The MoneyControl article concludes that Modi’s ability to create and maintain friendships across the political spectrum is not a novelty but a strategic evolution of Indian coalition politics. By marrying ideological convictions with pragmatic diplomacy, he has forged a network that extends beyond party lines and into the fabric of national governance.

“The question is not whether Modi can sustain these alliances,” the author writes, “but whether they can translate into tangible benefits for the Indian citizenry.” Whether or not the coming years vindicate this optimism, one thing remains clear: Narendra Modi’s legacy as an alliance‑maker will shape Indian politics long after his tenure ends, offering a blueprint—albeit a contested one—for bridging divides in a diverse democracy.