An opinion piece in *Dawn* argues that former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s economic reforms in the 1990s and 2000s were instrumental in creating India’s burgeoning middle class. These reforms, including liberalization and globalization, dramatically increased incomes and opportunities for a significant portion of the Indian population. The author contends that this newly empowered middle class, with its aspirations and changing priorities, ultimately became the key demographic underpinning the political success of current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Singh’s policies focused on economic growth, Modi successfully tapped into the cultural and nationalist sentiments of this same demographic. The article suggests Modi’s appeal lies in offering a different vision, one that resonates with a middle class seeking both economic progress and a stronger national identity. Essentially, the piece posits that Singh built the foundation, and Modi built the superstructure, with the Indian middle class serving as the connecting element. The author acknowledges the contrasting ideologies of the two leaders but highlights their interconnected legacies in shaping modern India.