(
Rahul Shrivastava is Senior Editor, Political Affairs at NDTV)
"I actively look for roles that will help people change their perception of me," actor Elijah Wood says.
Politicians often have to do the same - switch roles, in their case not just to defeat, but also protect perceptions about them. Timing is of essence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has over the last five months shown remarkable ability to work quickly towards building or demolishing perceptions about him or his government.
Like on Sunday evening, when we sat on a pavement right across the prime minister's official residence at Race Course Road, waiting for almost 400 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs of the ruling National Democratic Alliance or NDA to emerge from a three-hour tea party with the PM, called a Diwali 'Milan'.
From the first trickle of information we gathered the PM had told the NDA lawmakers, "let us think far. Let us think above politics. To chart a new course for the country. Take to the people the work done by the NDA government for the welfare of the poor. "
The journalists gathered sighed as one in disappointment. This was "tame sarkari press release stuff".
But a closer analysis revealed one important line in the PM's advice. Sources said Mr Modi told the MPs to reach out to the poor. The previous Congress-led government, he said, had gone about as though it was the "thekedar" (custodian) of the poor, he said, signalling that perception must change.
With those words he also seemed to be attacking another perception - one yet to be formed, but lurking round the corner given a sequence of recent events.
In the last few days the PM has pushed the pedal on reforms, taking decisions like freeing prices of diesel from government control, hiking the price of domestic gas and streamlining labour laws to get rid of the "inspector raj."
These are aimed at attracting investors and signalling to industry that the process of economic reforms has begun. But the tough decisions also give his rivals the opportunity to try and shape the perception that PM Modi is taking decisions that favour corporates and may adversely impact the common man.
At Sunday's "chai par charcha" PM Modi asked the NDA lawmakers to use the Clean India or 'Swacch Bharat' campaign to connect with the people. He asked them to visit schools in their area over a five-day period beginning November 14, the 125th birth anniversary of India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Three senior ministers briefed the MPs on the Modi government's pro-poor initiatives. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley spoke about the "Jan Dhan Yojna," the scheme that provides banking for the poor.
Rural development minister Nitin Gadkari made a presentation on creating model villages with each MP adopting at least one village. Labour minister Narendra Tomar explained the recent labour reforms. In all PM Modi urged NDA Members of Parliament to build the perception that his government was working for the deprived
He has done it before. Last week, he visited the world's highest battlefield Siachen in Jammu and Kashmir to spend Diwali with soldiers. A few hours later he landed in Srinagar, also in the state, to reach out to the victims of the devastating floods last month. Even the state's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, a bitter political critic, appreciated the gesture.
On Saturday, the PM checkmated another perception. Since he took over in May, the PM hadn't interacted with the media. Rivals alleged Mr Modi was evading questions and scrutiny. Another Diwali 'Milan' - exclusively with journalists
First, he praised the role media played. Right since the 2002 Gujarat riots, both PM Modi and the media had a negative perception of each other. As Gujarat Chief Minister, he felt the media was unfair to him. The media lived with an impression that he only wanted good press.
But, to change the perception, he waded into the media enclosure. He shook hands with senior editors and young journalists. Many scribes started jostling for a selfie with the Prime Minister. He posed patiently for each of them, knowing that these will be shared across the social media sites. This, and his free interaction with the journalists beamed live by public broadcaster Doordarshan had dealt a big blow to the perception that PM Modi doesn't meet the media.
Back on the Race Course Road pavement, the sighting of Shiv Sena MPs created a small stir. Their presence at the tea party was a sign that the BJP-Sena split in Maharashtra was a rough patch, not the end of the marriage. A senior BJP leader explained that a disagreement over seat sharing was only one part.
Importantly, partner Shiv Sena's strident agenda was at odds with PM Modi's development agenda. To fight and win elections with the Sena continuing to play senior partner, would have diluted the BJP's plank. Now, having won the most seats in state, the BJP can call the shots if they renew their alliance - the Sena has little place to bargain.
The BJP leader slapped my back and walked away, saying over his shoulder, "the PM doesn't want to change the perception that he means development."
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this blog are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing on the blog do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.