I strongly believe PM Modi benefits politically whenever the debate shifts from accountability to personal abuse. It allows him to present himself as the victim instead of answering difficult questions. We’ve seen this pattern before: the main issue fades into the background while the focus turns to insults directed at him.
This tendency is often associated with authoritarian politics, where supporters can simultaneously view themselves as morally or culturally superior while also believing they are under constant attack. As a result, their leader is portrayed as both immensely powerful and perpetually victimized—a combination that can be politically effective.