Modi must rein in BJP members or risk losing credibility: Moody's

New Delhi - Moody's Analytics said in a report that tension in India rising over beef, other issues.

Referring to the "ethnic tensions" in the wake of controversies over beef and other issues, Moody's on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must keep Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members in check or risk "losing domestic and global credibility".
Stating that the BJP does not have a majority in the 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 (Rajya Sabha) 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.
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.
"The Sensex has fallen around 11 per cent since the euphoria behind the new government propelled the stock market. But consistent failure to deliver key economic reforms has faded the optimism," the report said.
"Key economic reforms could deliver greater potential GDP, as they would improve India's productive capacity. These include the land acquisition bill, a national goods and service tax, and revamped labour laws. They are unlikely to pass through Parliament in 2015, but there is an even chance of success in 2016," it said.
It further said there are indications that investors have been less optimistic about India's economic prospects.

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