Moody's to Modi: Rein in members or risk losing credibility

New Delhi, Oct 30: Referring to the "ethnic tensions" in the wake of controversies over beef and other issues, Moody's today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must keep BJP members in check or risk losing "losing domestic and global credibility".

Stating that BJP does not have a majority in Rajya Sabha to pass crucial reforms and the Opposition was being 'obstructionist', Moody's Analytics said in a report that the government has also not helped itself in recent times with controversial comments from various BJP members.

"While Modi has largely distanced himself from the nationalist jibes, the belligerent provocation of various Indian minorities has raised ethnic tensions.

"Along with a possible increase in violence, the government will face stiffer opposition in the upper house as debate turns away from economic policy. "Modi must keep his members in check or risk losing domestic and global credibility," the report said.

The comments from Moody's Analytics, the economic research and analysis division of Moody's Corporation, are the first by any major global institution over the recent political controversies in India.

Moody's Analytics, however, said "its commentary is independent and does not reflect the opinions of Moody's Investors Service Inc, the credit ratings agency which is also a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation". The report titled 'India Outlook: Searching for Potential' further said that the ongoing assembly elections in Bihar could "prove pivotal to Modi's leadership".

"The BJP is not the incumbent (in Bihar), so a win here would help secure an upper house majority... Overall, it is unclear whether India can deliver the promised reforms and hit its growth potential. Undoubtedly, numerous political outcomes will dictate the extent of success," it added.

Moody's projected India's GDP growth for September quarter at 7.3 per cent, while for the full fiscal it would be 7.6 per cent. It, however, cautioned that Indian equities have also suffered from a loss in domestic sentiments and the failure to deliver on key reforms has faded the optimism.

PTI