New Delhi, May 10: The US-based Time Magazine has featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi on its cover. The magazine called PM Modi, “divider in chief". According to the author of the article Aatish Taseer, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Hindutva politics has led to the polarization in the country. The cover article carries a headline, “Can the World's Largest Democracy Endure Another Five Years of a Modi Government?” Meanwhile, the opening lines of the article reads, “Of the great democracies to fall to populism, India was the first.”

The write-up also compares former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's idea of secularism with the prevailing social "stress" under PM Modi. The article also reads, "demonstrated no desire to foster brotherly feelings between Hindus and Muslims.” Besides, the article also recalled the Gujarat riots that allegedly claimed lives of scores of people. The whole article is based on the Hindu-Muslim relations and blames PM Modi for being pro-Hindu. PM Narendra Modi Let Off by Election Commission Over His 'Bhrashtachari No 1' Remark Against Rajiv Gandhi.

Time Magazine's Tweet:

It is not the first time when the magazine has come with critical commentary about PM Modi. In its published article in 2012, the magazine described him as a controversial, ambitious and a shrewd politician. Meanwhile, in 2015 also, PM Modi was on the cover of the magazine with a headline, “Why Modi Matters – The World Needs India to Step up as Global Power.” Narendra Modi Gets Third Clean Chit by EC, No Violation of Model Code of Conduct in PM's Barmer Speech, Says Poll Panel.

PM Modi assumed office in May 2014. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections with a massive majority. This time also, the PM is contesting from Varanasi which is going for polls in the seventh phase on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 10, 2019 12:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).