Megalomaniac Narendra Modi's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is more theatrical, with hogwash claims that India has contained the virus spread, and the country is helping the rest of the world with vaccine exports. In reality, India has scored the highest number of one-day toll COVID-19, crossing over 360,000 cases on April 21. The figures are much more because of suppressed data and the considerable number of patients who cannot get into hospitals. It is clear that Modi is solely responsible for leading India into the COVIDI-19 death trap that is now killing thousands every single day and experts say India may have half a billion people infected with the virus.

By Promod Puri

In a recent interview with The Wire, an online non "Godi" media service, widely read-watched political commentator Ramachandra Guha described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a megalomaniac. He further adds Modi has a sycophantic cabinet, including the country's institutions, like the Supreme court, while surrounding himself with yes-men and yes-sir bureaucrats.

(According to dictionary.com, megalomaniac is a psychiatric term meaning a symptom of mental illness marked by delusions of greatness. Sycophantic means using flattery to win favour from an individual wielding influence.)

Guha's assessment of Modi, a self-centred personality, and enclosed in a sycophantic environment make him an autocratic ruler who enjoys tremendous support from his ardent supporters, aka "Bhagats."

Modi loves himself from his physical self to dressing, hairstyle and lately, the well-maintained off-white beard. A man with a narcissistic nature, he expresses his expertise in everything but disdains education and scientific and data-based opinion. He prefers "hard work to Harvard."

Modi's significant achievements are winning elections by hook or crook for two consecutive terms, building up the Hindu electoral base by demolishing the nation's secular character, and dividing the country into sectarian lines.

Modi's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is more theatrical, with hogwash claims that India has contained the virus spread, and the country is helping the rest of the world with vaccine exports.

In reality, India has scored the highest number of one-day toll COVID-19, crossing over 360,000 cases on April 21. The figures are much more because of suppressed data and the considerable number of patients who cannot get into hospitals.

It is clear that Modi is solely responsible for leading India into the COVIDI-19 death trap that is now killing thousands every single day and experts says India may have half a billion people infected with the virus.

For him, the priorities are addressing the election rallies and encouraging people to attend the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela for dips in the sacred water as "Ma Ganga would wash the CoronaVirus."

The prime minister has miserably failed the country. The simple reason is he thinks he is the expert on every issue. He consults only those who say what he wants to hear.

With his egoistic and self-loving personality and in the company of sycophantic Bhagats and bureaucrats, India faces a mess on most fronts led by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Promod Puri is a veteran journalist and founder of the South Asian LINK Newspaper.