India’s businessmen like Narendra Modi. They also fear him
Company bosses are grateful for a strong economy, but worried about retribution
The consecration of a Hindu temple in Ayodhya, the mythical birthplace of the god Ram, on January 22nd was a huge religious event in India. It carried political significance, too. It was presided over by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, and signalled the unofficial start to the campaign of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of a general election in April and May. It also turned into a business jamboree. Attendees included a “Who’s Who” of India Inc, from the heads of the country’s mightiest conglomerates to founders of its sexiest startups. All came to pay tribute to Ram—but mostly to Mr Modi.
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This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “The Modi paradox”
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