A powerful politician, with strong public support and a base, always has the option to reaching out directly to the masses. Bypassing informed critics, poll surveys, so-called expert opinion and the gaggle and noise of media, he can connect directly with the people, who matter in the final reckoning.

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In the past, successful Indian prime ministers have used this tactic, often with good results. They have waded into cheering crowds, shook hands with people at public rallies and taken unscheduled stops at roadsides, particularly during election campaigns, mingling with voters.

Those times, alas, were innocent and were bereft of the security threat that go with a prime ministerial entourage, as they do today. It is equally true, however, that unlike today, the politicians of those days never had the advantage of modern channels of mass communication, something that Narendra Modi knows so well and an art that he has mastered like no politician can.

In these stressful times, Modi is doing what he does best. In his party’s outreach programme ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Modi is personally reaching out to voters through the NaMo app. The app has been equipped with a new feature where the PM appeals for “direct feedback” from citizens through a survey that enables them to maintain a report card for the government and its party leaders.

In a video posted on the Facebook and Twitter, Modi talks directly to the user, seeking his response through this survey. “Your feedback on various issues will help us take important decisions,” says the PM. It is quite candid as well.

People are asked to rate the government, local BJP leaders and interestingly, even the Opposition. Quite clearly, Modi is one of the exponents of the art of using the social media. His election sweep in 2014 was as much a tribute to his own oratorial skills and agenda as to his presence on the social media.