Narendra Modi: The Yogi of Populism

by Mihir Bose

The idea of Narendra Modi providing the template for Donald Trump and Boris Johnson to seize power may sound absurd. What can the Prime Minister of a developing country, who leads a hard right Hindu party, have to teach two leaders of sophisticated rich countries which pride themselves on being long-established democracies? Mihir Bose’s new book, “Narendra Modi – the Yogi of Populism”, addresses that question and answers it decisively. India is the world’s largest democracy and Modi’s playbook for winning elections has provided a model for both Trump and Johnson. The Modi template says to win power you must convince enough people that they have lost their country. That they need to do something very radical if they are to regain their country. This is such an emotive call that it can galvanise people even when there is no merit whatsoever in the argument. Modi’s success came in the Indian general elections of 2014 which, contrary to the predictions of all the pollsters, and the views of India’s chattering classes, saw his Bharatiya Janata Party sweep to victory with a two-thirds majority. This book is an important and challenging analysis that will inform the global political debate and provide real insights into how Trump and Johnson gained power.

52 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2021

About the author

About Mihir Bose
Award-winning journalist and author Mihir Bose writes and broadcasts on social and historical issues and sport for outlets including the BBC, the Guardian, Financial Times, Evening Standard and Irish Times.
He has written more than fifty books on sport, including football and cricket, and history, such as Bollywood, India and the extraordinary WW2 quintuple agent Silver. The subjects of his many biographies include Michael Grade, Moeen Ali and the Indian nationalist Subhas Bose (no relation).
Mihir was the BBC’s first sports editor and first non-white editor. He was chief sports news correspondent at the Daily Telegraph and worked for the Sunday Times for 20 years.
His honorary doctorate from Loughborough University was awarded for his outstanding contribution to journalism and the promotion of equality. Mihir is a member of the English Heritage Blue Plaques Panel and former chairman of the Reform Club. He and his wife Caroline live in London. He has a daughter, Indira.