BJP TODAY

September 16--30, 2004 - Vol. 13, No. 18

UPA promises vis-a-vis NDA performance
By Bulbul Roy Mishra

Possessed by the un-wisdom of our time and confining our vision to the smallness of our mental frame, we often venture to pass judgment on visionary leadership of statesmen like Mr. Vajpayee by the sole criterion of electoral verdict. Similarly, we unjustly turn cynical and foretell doom for the Congress-led 14-party UPA government merely because it stumbled at the threshold to reconcile its inner contradictions. Obviously it is too early to judge UPA Government's performance, as there is none. But then to condemn it as non-performer will surely be as unwise as overlooking the performance of the previous government. To be fair and objective, let us first briefly analyze the achievements of the NDA Government and thereafter look into the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA, both in perspective.

The most noteworthy of NDA Government's achievements were in the realm of foreign policy and economy. Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Vajpayee, Pakistan got isolated on Kashmir question for the first time since independence. And this was possible owing to a series of bilateral treaties with countries like the USA, the UK, EU, Russia, France, Germany, Israel, Japan etc. with the resolve to jointly fight terrorism. That such resolutions were not innocuous were evident from the fact that despite its pretensions and protestations Pakistan was kept at bay, as Mr. Vajpayee could convince the world powers that India truly were a victim of Pak-sponsored terrorism. That apart, by successfully holding free and fair State Assembly election in Kashmir, he also proved to the world that democracy was well entrenched in India including Kashmir while in Pakistan it was sadly wanting. Simultaneously, Mr. Advani's dialogue with the Hurriyat further convinced the world about the sincerity of Indian Government to find a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue.

Diplomatic wisdom of Mr. Vajpayee, hitherto unpublicized, went further to establish the well-known nexus between Pak-sponsored terrorism and proceeds of Afghan heroin, laundered by the ISI to sustain terrorism in India and elsewhere. As the West and the rest of the world were extra-ordinarily sensitive to drugs, Pakistan in the process got slowly isolated being the one knowingly patronizing and funding terrorist outfits. Any politician in Machiavellian mould would have surely capitalized on those exploits, going for all out publicity for short term gains. But Mr. Vajpayee following Kautilya's precepts preferred permanent solution of the Kashmir issue by transforming mindset of the people of Pakistan. His hand of friendship from position of strength, directed ostensibly to Pak leadership but actually to the people of Pakistan, was warmly grabbed.

Simultaneously, he initiated dialogue with Pakistan and Afghanistan for putting an end to illegal drug cultivation and trafficking. Unprecedented reception of the Indian cricket team by the people of Pakistan bears a testimony of the changed mindset.

In economic sphere, for the first time GDP growth in a financial year crossed 8% mark, one of the highest in the world. Second, the forex reserve went up to $104 bn, from a meager $32.5 bn in 1998-99. Third, despite severe drought in 14 States in 2002-03 there was no price rise, nor shortage of food grains. Fourth, 84 lakh additional employment opportunities were created annually as against 39 lakh in the previous regime. Fifth, India emerged as the IT super power, software exports having grown from Rs. 8000 crore in 1997-98 to Rs 48000 crore in 2003-04. Lastly, National Highways of over 2400km were being developed at the daily rate of 11 km, as against the yearly average of 11.12 km of previous 50 years.

While it was expected that the UPA Government would pursue Vajpayee Government's foreign policy, its very first statement in CMP surprises us all: "The UPA Government will pursue an independent foreign policy, keeping in mind its past traditions." The word 'independent' by insinuation may mean that NDA Government's foreign policy was not independent. It may also mean that the UPA Government's foreign policy will not be influenced by that of its predecessor.

The words "its past traditions" understandably refer to the diplomacy of Nehru, Indira and Rajiv in the Cold War era, now irrelevant. In the absence of any plausible explanation as to what was wrong with Vajpayee Government's foreign policy, it can be logically inferred that the above statement emanated from a narrow party-centric perspective, sans national interest.

It was further stated in the CMP: "In keeping with the stance adopted by the late Shri Murasoli Maran at Doha, the UPA Government will fully protect the national interest, particularly of farmers, in all WTO negotiations." It is not difficult to see that late Mr. Maran, the Minister of Commerce in Mr. Vajpayee's cabinet, has been commended in isolation, simply because his party, the DMK, is now in the UPA coalition. It exemplifies yet another instance of narrow political perspective.

The approach of the UPA Government in regard to the grandiose river-linking projects of the NDA Government to permanently tackle both flood and drought, is rather callous and insensitive, shelving it till "a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility of linking the rivers" is carried out.
In the first Budget of the UPA Government some bold non-populist steps have no doubt been initiated by its no-nonsense Finance Minister, such as interest reduction on the Provident Fund, increasing the limit of FDI investments, levy of 2% educational cess, expansion of the base of Service Taxes, deterrent provisions for tax evaders etc. But some of those steps have exposed the inner contradictions of the coalition and their Left partners. It is doubtful whether with such inherent incompatibility the coalition will last its term resting on the singular plank of catchy, empty anti-Hindutva slogans. 7.51% inflation forebodes harder days for the nation unless some bold policy decision is taken by the Finance to arrest the trend.

Indian tradition postulates that the only key to survival, whether for individuals, parties, nations or civilizations, is the combination of tolerance and respect for others. Mr. Vajpayee in politics is the repository of above two virtues. The UPA coalition leadership will do well to follow his example for survival and also to earn respectability through performance.

(Courtesy, The Pioneer)