Congress throws the Kitchen Sink at the Problem!?
by Unmesh Sharma
The BJP’s loss at the 2009 elections was quite a set-back for me personally. The primary reason was that we had failed to punish the UPA government’s dismal performance in the last 5 years. From my perspective (as a professional working in Mumbai’s financial services industry), the government had delivered close to nothing. We continued to suffer from the lack of financial sector reforms, lack of internal security, poor infrastructure and fiscal profligacy- all of which the left-of-centre Congress has now mastered. A quick poll I conducted amongst 5 of my friends (not an adequate sample but still representative) around 30 years of age showed that 2 of them considered, at least once, of moving abroad after the election results.
I continue to remain a BJP supporter but if I would like to take a step back and consider why that is the case. This is because as part of the ‘post 1991′ aspirational generation, I expect reforms to continue. For India’s talented graduates, we expect the government to provide a world class environment to live and (importantly) work in.
If we look objectively however, the noises made by the UPA cabinet in the last few days have been encouraging. They have identified some lacunae and decided to throw the proverbial’ kitchen sink’ at them. The urban ‘civil society’ would definitely find this attractive. I would like to highlight three in particular.
1) Mr Nilekani in government- a game changer
The participation of the private sector in the government is not without precedent. However the appointment of Mr Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and one of India’s most outstanding new-generation entrepreneurs is clearly a game-changer. The UPA government has practically given him ministerial status for the essential national biometric ID project. Mr Nilekani seems to believe in this project (it was mentioned in his book “Imagining India”) and he brings credibility to the table, which no politician can question. The convergence is captured by Mr Nilekani’s own words “The two worlds have come together”.
The US government is made of people from the private sector and despite its fair share of controversies; it is a model which works. India needs to realise that the best talent has moved away from the public services and government companies to the private sector, especially after the ’80s. And the UPA seems to have come to terms with this.
(In its shadow cabinet, BJP should consider similar moves. Why not consider Mr KV Kamath of ICICI for a project to drive penetration of rural banking, Mr Sunil Mittal for rural telephony and so on).
2) Best man for the job: Kamal Nath in roads
After the impressive performance of BJP in 1999-04 (10km of roads built a day) to a dismal performance by the UPA in 2004-09 (daily execution was down 80%), the UPA has accepted that this may lead to their fall in election 2014. In a move which would make even a private sector company proud, they have decided to put one of their best men on the job.
In my opinion, Mr Kamal Nath (ignoring all other controversies) was one of the most effective ministers in the 2004-09 UPA cabinet. As commerce minister, his performance notably at the WTO was arguably very impressive. He also stood out as a reformer in the last few days of the UPA government with the indirect FDI liberalisation in practically every sector.
Extending the argument, the UPA government’s decision to give important ministries (of state) to younger members is akin to the private sector. Company promoters (Mr Ambani of Reliance, Mr Premji of Wipro, Dabur, HCL- to quote a few) have often placed the younger generation in junior management positions to ‘get their hands dirty before they take on senior positions.
3) Need of the hour: Kapil Sibal in HRD
The HRD ministry, in a country like India, has never been given its due. This is important and (for a change) the UPA government is making the right noises. While some of the moves made by Mr Sibal may be controversial and wrongly targeting the symptom (versus the disease), at least it seems that the intention is right.
Given the performance by Congress-led governments in the 60 years after independence, I am not sure if these moves are indeed sincere. It is easy for sceptics (including me) to believe that this is just an eye-wash and the Congress will not take too much time to move back to the left-of-centre, where they have frequently and habitually found their comfort zone.
But at this moment, we have no option but to hope that the UPA government takes advantage of the benefit of doubt that the voters have given them.
For BJP supporters like me, both possible outcomes are all-right.
>> If the UPA does what we expect it to and fritters away the advantage, the BJP will find it easier to win election-2014 (provided it sorts out other internal issues).
>> If the UPA does indeed deliver on the promise, India will indeed move towards becoming a world class destination. This implies a bright future with better infrastructure, a healthy financial and reform-oriented system and market/ business friendly environment.
Importantly, the game being played would be on the terms which BJP dominated in the ’90s. While the UPA would be difficult to unseat, this would result in the BJP having to present an even more compelling and progressive alternative in the 2014 election. This would be an even more positive outcome.
I am optimistic about the future and BJP’s prospects in election 2014. In the meanwhile, if the UPA delivers on the BJP promise, why fret?
The views expressed here by the author are his personal views, and do not represent the views of his employer.
Comments
17 Responses to “Congress throws the Kitchen Sink at the Problem!?”
There is the famous adage that all Gods have clay feet. Nilekani’s “elevation” is circumspect for sure, it has more of an aura than what he would be allowed to achieve. It takes much much more than pedigree to deliver in true terms. Wright Patterson AFB, in USA awards the largest Defense projects and some of the key criteria it uses for selecting the project leader are: the person is an undisputed leader in his field of specialisation, has a good knowledge of all the disciplines involved in the project, and last but not the least -”He should have stood up against the authority atleast once in his career on the basis of his professional convictions”…So, what we need to look forward in time is whether the ID project leader stands up to the pressures that will be brought upon him by congress.
Please remember that the Id project had been discussed for years in the planning commission and objected to by various intellectuals in the Planning Commission itself, since it erodes the individuality of the citizen, makes him a number, raids his privacy, allows information on a person to be exploited no end,and so on. And all of us in IT do know how Garbage in is garbage out. NIC has been doing it for the various ministries for decades now. Our Governments collect Cess and Taxes, but have they even put a social security number in place, while wanting to imbibe Hire and Fire like the industry in USA? After the system will be in place, what data will be actually put in and by whom, and how will the ruling party (obviously the Congress for the next 18 years as per apprehensions in this forum) use is full of serious doubts, Such an ID will be a more powerful tool than the CBI. How many countries have really used Nuclear Power successfully for peaceful use yet?
Do you really believe that the EVMs are fool proof?? Not even Congress can explain the verdict they got this time around, which is much much beyond their own expectations. How did this happen?
How do you expect that a party which has systematically divided the country on the basis of language, on the basis of Cast , on the basis of religion for over 60 years of its rule, which is a proven exploiter of Minorities for electoral gains, done all for electoral gains, is suddenly having a change of heart !
Yes, BJP inducting intellectuals and performing industrialists in its advisory groups atleast would always be a welcome move.
But first of all, BJP has to select its most forthright and upright leaders, to do the governance in the states it rules today, and not just appointing leaders on the basis of the votes they got…may be as a begining, they could add the selected “advisors” from the industry to help the leaders they must appoint by compulsion of vote banks… Why has Congress failed to trip Shri Modi is a case in point…despite having tried all the dirty tricks it could think of.
There is the famous adage that all Gods have clay feet. Nilekani’s “elevation” is circumspect for sure, it has more of an aura than what he would be allowed to achieve. It takes much much more than pedigree to deliver in true terms. Wright Patterson AFB, in USA awards the largest Defense projects and some of the key criteria it uses for selecting the project leader are: the person is an undisputed leader in his field of specialisation, has a good knowledge of all the disciplines involved in the project, and last but not the least -”He should have stood up against the authority atleast once in his career on the basis of his professional convictions”…So, what we need to look forward in time is whether the ID project leader stands up to the pressures that will be brought upon him by congress.
Please remember that the Id project had been discussed for years in the planning commission and objected to by various intellectuals in the Planning Commission itself, since it erodes the individuality of the citizen, makes him a number, raids his privacy, allows information on a person to be exploited no end,and so on. And all of us in IT do know how Garbage in is garbage out. NIC has been doing it for the various ministries for decades now. Our Governments collect Cess and Taxes, but have they even put a social security number in place, while wanting to imbibe Hire and Fire like the industry in USA? After the system will be in place, what data will be actually put in and by whom, and how will the ruling party (obviously the Congress for the next 18 years as per apprehensions in this forum) use is full of serious doubts, Such an ID will be a more powerful tool than the CBI. How many countries have really used Nuclear Power successfully for peaceful use yet?
Do you really believe that the EVMs are fool proof?? Not even Congress can explain the verdict they got this time around, which is much much beyond their own expectations. How did this happen?
How do you expect that a party which has systematically divided the country on the basis of language, on the basis of Cast, on the basis of religion for over 60 years of its rule, which is a proven exploiter of Minorities for electoral gains, is suddenly having a change of heart !
Yes, BJP inducting intellectuals and performing industrialists in its advisory groups atleast would always be a welcome move.
But first of all, BJP has to select its most forthright and upright leaders, AND NOT GO BY SENIORITY - no political party has had the guts to this in India so far…, to do the governance in the states it rules today, and not just appointing leaders on the basis of the votes they got…may be as a begining, they could add the selected “advisors” from the industry to help the leaders they must appoint by compulsion of vote banks… Why has Congress failed to trip Shri Modi is a case in point…despite having tried all the dirty tricks it could think of.
I happened to watch a Loksabha debate today on economy. A congress MP Mr. Samba Siva Rao from AP gave away some words of wisdom
1. Higher education like that of MBA, Engg, MBBS is of no significance, what is more important is being a low skilled labour like a plumber, tv repair wallah etc.,
2. NREGA is paying for men/women Rs100/day even on days when they don’t have any work, which is an achievement by itself.
3. Exports cannot create jobs, NREGA is the only saviour of aam admi.
4. Building a road between mumbai and delhi is not at all development but diggin up holes, cleanin drains/sewers under NREGA is “real” development.
5. Price rises doen’t matter for the aam-admi as he is fully insulated by 3rs/kg rice/wheat– infact price rise is a good thing because farmers will get more money. (genius eh?)
and he had many more visions to share –(he is allegedly an engineer himself)
….hmmmm with “leaders” like him with such grand visions ruling India for over 50 years its no wonder we still have 400mln mango men living below poverty, biggest slums in asia, and pathetic infrastructure.
referring to the above comments. Cant but agree as long as middle class sit in house on the couches, the polticians and Beuaracrats will keep making money and distributing middle class hard earned wealth like philanthropists.
On the article itself.
it is like endorsing Sonia’s view point and saying that the world will be set right now that we have won the elections.
By the time Nilekani gets to understand the political implications of the project he will feel cursed for joining the mission. Let him wait the politics of migrants is sorted out in the assembly
Kamal’s ambition plan of roads is nothing compared to Vajpayees. But knowing Congress everything will be on paper and money in bank accounts. Like NREGA where no one knows 50K crores dissapearance
Kapil, has confused all on his vision. Channel after channel has pointed that people are not ok with his vision of closing boards and exams. The students learning edge of India will be lost and it will be the fight of caste/religion reservations will begin now, as no one need to pass anything.
कम कम कम कम कम कम ……………….
पिछले सालों में जब महंगाई बढ़नी शुरू हुई थी तो कांग्रेस ने कहना शुरू किया था की देश के लोगों के खाने की आदतों में बदलाव आया है और लोग ज्यादा खाना खाने लगे हैं इसलिए देश में अनाज की कमी हो गयी है और महंगाई बढ़ने लगी है ,लोगों को कम खाना चाहिए .दरअसल उन्ही दिनों एक विदेशी संस्था द्वारा कराये गए एक सर्वेक्षण में इस तरह की बाते कही गयी थीं की भारत के लोगों के खाने की आदतों में परिवर्तन आया है .कांग्रेस ने मौका ताड़कर उस संस्था की कही बातों पर अपनी सहमती भी तुंरत जाता दी थी .जबकि असलियत यह थी की कांग्रेस की सरकार के निक्कमेपन और कोई ठोस नीति न होने और समय पर कार्यवाही न करने की वजह से अनाज की कमी की समस्या देश में पैदा हुई थी .
उन्ही दिनों कांग्रेस ने देश के लोगों को यह सुझाव देना शुरू कर दिया था की लोगों को कम खाना चाहिए .आज देश पानी की कमी से झूझ रहा है .कोई शक नहीं की अब कांग्रेस की सरकार से देश के लोगों को यह फरमान आये की लोगों को कम पानी पीना चाहिए या पानी का कम इस्तमाल करना चाहिए .मतलब यह की सरकार के निक्कमेपन की वजह से लोगों को अब भुगतना पड़ सकता है और सब कुछ कम कम करना करना पड़ सकता है .एक दिन ऐसा न आ जाये की देश में पहनने वाले कपडे की कमी हो जाये और सरकार यह कहना शुरू कर दे की लोगों को कम कपडे पहनने चाहिए .
भारत में एक समय था जब नगरपालिका के पानी की सप्लाई चौबीसों घंटे हुआ करती थी . जिस तरह आबादी बढती रही उस अनुपात में पीने के पानी के श्रोतों ( झील ,डेम ,तालाब आदि ) में किसी भी सरकार ने वृद्धि नहीं की .आबादी तो बढ़ गयी लेकिन पानी के श्रोतों की संख्या वही रही . जो पानी लोगों को कभी २४ घंटे मिला करती थी वह अब घट कर मात्र कुछ घंटे ही रह गए हैं . उस पर यदि किसी वर्ष वर्षा ने धोखा दे दिया तो और भी मुसीबत.यही हाल आज देश का हुआ है क्योंकि पूरे देश में वर्षा में लगभग ६० फीसदी की कमी दर्ज की गयी है . जिसके कारण आज लगभग पुरे देश में पीने के पानी और सिंचाई के लिए पानी की समस्या समस्या उत्प्पन हो गयी है .पानी की कमी का एक कारण और भी है और वह है जंगलों की अन्धाधुन्द कटाई . जिसके कारण वर्षा भी नहीं हो पा रही है जो की बादलों को अपनी ओर आकर्षित कर वर्षा करने में सहायक होता है .वर्षा न होने के कारण फिर अनाज की कमी पूरे देश भर में हो सकती है और महंगाई एक बार फिर नयी ऊँचाई पर पहुँच सकती है .यानि कांग्रेस की सरकार एक बार फिर यह कहना शुरू कर सकती है कम कम कम कम ……….
Pandeji, Modi is the only person who understood the enemy in and out. That is why despite all the tricks played by Sonia and the party they couldn’t defeat him. However, the BJP central leadership seems to be clueless on how to tackle congress. You are right, Congress is a rogue party which is only interested in staying in power by playing dirty tricks like over appeasement of minorities, dividing Hindus based on caste and on the basis of language. Soniaji plays the role of a victimized lady and poor Indians don’t understand her true identity.
I wonder when this site become Friends of Congress
देश में पानी की कमी से शायद अब कांग्रेस की सरकार जागे और NDA द्वारा प्रस्तावित इंटर लिंकिंग रिवर परियोजना पूरे देश भर में शुरू करे .लेकिन शायद ऐसा होता नहीं दिखता .क्योंकि केंद्रीय सरकार ने जल को लेकर अभी तक कोई ठोस नीति नहीं बनाई है .बल्कि जहाँ तहां फूटकर में समस्याओं का निदान ढूँढा जा रहा है .यह नहीं चलेगा .
Dear
Friends
If we think this increase in price is the result of Congress government,
Then this is the best time for BJP
to make some amendments in the bjp ruled states to
fix prices of basic commodities like
rice,wheat,pulses,sugar,tea,curd,vegetables,edibleoil,spices etc.
Why not BJP is showing its commitment to the Aam Aadmi.
BJP has done a good thing by replacing Mr. Modi as incharge Maharashtra by Mr.Gopinath Munde. All the seats where Modi campaigned, BJP lost. BJP shall project grassroot leaders like Gopinath Munde and Eknath Khadase, rather than khaki chaddi (RSS) cadre. Advani and Modi are detasted in maharshtra (including BJP party members) and it’s not at all likely that people will all of a sudden start loving them.
Maharashtra desparately wants an alternative. but if Modi and advani campaign here BJP is going to lose.
Kiran, you are making a generalized statement about Modi. Modi compaigned in Himachal Pradesh and in Himachal Pradesh BJP won 3 seats. He compaigned in South Goa and BJP won there too. BJP lost Maharashtra because of the split-apposition and because of Raj Thackerey and MNS.
Yes, by selecting Gopinath Munde , BJP took right decision. A maharasthrian and a grass root worker from that state should lead BJP in Maharasthra.
@skg
I’m from maharashtra and i’m talking about maharashtra ony. please understand the reality here. There is general dislike for Modi and chaddiwallahs here. So much that people would tolerate incompetant NCP - Cong government rather than give a chance to chaddiwallahs. Munde, Khadase kind of grass root leaders only can bring some hope for BJP in maharashtra. These leaders actually talk and gel with people. Most of the net hero’s here on FoB would never understand the difference. FoB is full of ivory tower internet politicians speaking of ideaology and blah and blah. It doesn’t work . Modi might be your personal hero, and Advani might be your idol of a sort, but be advised that they don’t sell in Maharashtra.
Kiran, even your Sonia or Rahul or even nehru do not sell any most of the parts of India.
But as u sais I admit, its the crooked/misleading aam admi politics which congress is able to sell to people like you. Good luck and keep on harping on those destroyers of human rights. 62 years of poverty and blatant violation of human rights, unequitable distribution of wealth by your congress party and its corrupt leaders.
Ask your leaders to justofy the productive use of money being raised from market and people to falsy pretend the farmer loan waiver.. They know its not a viable model, but still they will do it because for them the captive vote bank is a pure secret. God bless you dear..
Corruption is single largest issue,right from Nehru’s era Mundra Scam which caused TT Krishnamachari to step down 1958,Banking Nationalisation on 1969-70,Bofors scam during Rajiv’s era.Till that time BJP has been voicing truly against corruption and they have got support from all the country men.But after they came to power I don’t see BJP is fighting against the corruption of UPA.It is BJP who has done some great job for developing infrastructure,amending Citizenship amendment’s Act 2003,amending Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, and after going out of power there is no single corruption against them apart from Tahelka.But they are not fighting against Bofors scam or buying MP for Lok Sabha trust vote on 2008 July, something similar like
1. One BDO in WB murdered who unfold the NREGA implementation.
(http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Mystery-death-of-Bengal-BDO-who-exposed-NREG-fraud/308091/ for details).
2. As per SA Aiyar’s article on TOI , The government has issued 223 million ration cards, but India has only 200 million households. It has issued 80 million BPL (below poverty line) ration cards although the number of poor households is under 65 million. (for more details : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/SA-Aiyar-Swaminomics-Netas-and-babus-can-outsmart-smart-cards/articleshow/4739109.cms)
3. In 2007, one under construction over bridge fell down,2009 Delhi Metro over bridge fell down by same company Gammon India.Both are Congress states.Why BJP is silent ?
We sincerely expect BJP to fight against Corruption and have a efficient way tackle it in its own State.
I am an idiot, forgive me for my stupid comments.
No Kiran
Think again where is the center of politics in Maharastra, Who is gaining from such a politics is it the aam admi or dusra admi.
You will get the answer.