Results of General Elections in 2004 were a shock to most of the political analysts, who predicted a thumping win of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government. But it was the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) who won the Elections and formed the Coalition Government under Dr. Man Mohan Singh (MMS). I, on my personal behalf, was doubtful whether this coalition will last five years of their tenure smoothly, because of the vested interests of various different poles of Indian Politics with different ideologies came together (e.g. Communists supported UPA from outside). But they proved me wrong by completing their tenure, although in the later half Communists withdrew their support over Nuclear Deal with the US, leaving MMS in a state of dilemma. Whatever be the case, if we observe the overall performance of the UPA Government, they will get a negative review all the way long. Perhaps MMS was the weakest PM India has ever seen. He failed on every front. Below are the various reasons why I think UPA should not return to power.
1. TERRORISM: This is perhaps the biggest issue in their tale of failures. UPA scrapped the Prevention Of Terrorism Act (POTA) formed by NDA as soon as they gained charge. This resulted into increase in terrorist activities throughout the country with exponential rate. Deaths due to terrorist attacks were at all time high and Mumbai terror attack of 26/11 was termed as the worst attack ever in the history. New targets in the form of small cities were formed by terrorists and every now and then there was chaos. The police and Intelligence agencies were feeling helpless in front of these cruel 'Death Traders'.
2. PRICE HIKE: The prices of every commodity increased to its maximum level ever during these past five years. Rate of Inflation rose to new heights breaking the backs of common man. Government was unable to control it. The basic food items like grains, fruits, spices etc. were out of the reach of the public. Interest Rates for Home Loans etc. increased drastically and the middle class felt the heat of it.
3. VOLATILE MARKET: Unscrupulous speculation and predictions by the Finance Minister (FM) led to more volatile share markets. First, it rose to its new heights which attracted scores of new investors. But due to loose policies it came down crashing causing millions of investors to loose their hard earned money. Many suicide cases all over the country were observed due to loss in shares. Many people lost their jobs because of resource shredding followed by companies to match their losses. FM was unable to stabilize markets and every measure he took to improve conditions backfired.
4. CASTE BASED RESERVATION: I strongly believe that if this stunt of 'vote politics' did not happen, I would not have been ended up rotting in JIIT. Reservations in Higher Education Entrance Exams and Jobs on the basis of caste led to many violent protests all over the country, but our HRD minister did not change his decision. Perhaps he was eyeing the long term political benefits. This decision increased the hatred among the different sections of society which is divided on the basis of caste. I believe this Jinn of Reservation which was released can prove to be the last nail in the coffin of UPA.
5. DUMMY PM: The funniest part of the tale is the formation of MMS as PM. After their win in the Elections in 2004, speculations were made that the next PM will be Mrs. Sonia Gandhi (SG), although protests in other political arena over her foreign origin was vibrant. She shocked the world by stepping aside stating 'her inner voice' and appointed MMS to take charge. No one had thought of her long term plan to place MMS as a dummy PM and gaining the title of 'Raajmata' alongside. In reality, the Government acted from 10, Janpath (Residence of SG) and MMS proved to be a 'Rubber Stamp' PM. The best example of his Political Impotency was the 'Cash For Vote' scam where in their desperation to save the government after Communists left, they allegedly purchased the MPs from other parties to vote in their favor when No-Confidence Motion was forced. They ended up somehow saving their government, but it was pathetic.
After all these reasons which I just stated, I don't think there is any need to explain any more. I believe every reader, or every citizen who is eligible to vote is directly or indirectly linked to any or all of these reasons. So, when you go to vote, keep these reasons in mind and choose the worthier candidate.
Comments Invited.
3 comments:
I read your post minutely but I fail to realise what is it that u r driving at!
You say that prices of commodities soared during the UPA regime.My friend many factors come into picture while calculating inflation. The prices of oil soared up in the middleeast resulting in a worldwide impact on global economy.May be u r unaware of this fact but the leading major oil corporations in India have suffered heavy losses in year 06-08.The government along with RBI took stern steps to bring down inflation.It was not a government policy which triggered inflation's inflation.Secondly u may argue that government should had given incentives to people, India already a mammoth fiscal deficiet to cope up with.
NOW I AM GOING TO TELL U ABOUT THE WEAKEST POINT OF YOUR ARTICLE.YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN THE READER THE CHOICE BETWEEN DIFFERENT PARTIES OR PERSONS TO BE CHOSEN FROM.WHOM DO U PROPOSE AS AN ALTERNATE GOVERNMENT IN PLACE OF UPA?IS IT NDA??
AS FOR NDA PLZZ SEE THIS:-
WHEN THE RESERVATION SYATEM WAS BEING INTRODUCED WHERE WAS NDA? SLEEPING!! OR SITTING ON THE SIDELINES LIKE MUTE SPECTATORS!! OR PROTESTING AGAINST THE RESERVATIONS OR THINKING THAT THEY WOULD MAKE IT AN ISSUE IN THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS. WAKE UP MAN!!THE OPPOSITION PARTIES WHICH WERE LED BY NDA DID NOT START A MASS OPPOSITION TO THIS MOVE OF THE GOVERNMENT.IT IS NOT NECESSARY THAT YOU HAVE TO BE INPOWER TO DO SOMETHING.NDA HAS FAILED ON EVERY FRONT IN ITS ROLE OF A CONTRUCTIVE OPPOSITION.AS A MATTER OF FACT EVEN THE NDA AND OTHER PARTIES SUPPORTED THIS BILL OF RESERVATIONS.
AS FAR AS THE LAME DUCK OR DUMMY PRIMEMINISTER IS CONCERNED MMS HAS DELIVERED MORE AS A PERSON THAN ANYONE HAD EXPECTED.HE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE 'Raajmaata' DUMPED LEFT FRONT AND GOT THROUGH THE INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL.THAT WAS SOME SMART POLITICS!!
NOW THE CASH BUY SCANDAL OF THE MPS.UPA BOUGHT THOSE CANDIDATES WHO WOULD HAD BETRAYED THEIR PARTIES FOR ANYTHING BE IT MONEY, POWER OR THE POST OF THEIR MINISTERS. WHEN NO CONFIDENCE MOTION WAS MOVED MANY OPPOSITION PARTIES WERE PROMISING TICKETS TO THE RULING MPS IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS.WHAT WAS THAT?? A MOVE TO SHOW WORLD THAT INDIA IS A DEMOCRACY OR THEIR ONLY PURPOSE WAS TO REMOVE UPA FROM POWER.
These problems are only going to be solved only when one proposes a true politician who will work for the general welfare.UPA has failed on the front of terrorism WHERE AS THE NDA GOVERNMENT WAS MARGINALLY BETTER.
THE ROLE OF NDA IN OPPOSITION WAS NOT AT ALL CONSTRUCTIVE OR RESPONSIBLE.AS FOR THE THIRD FRONT NO ONE CAN SAY WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINITY THAT WHAT WILL BE INDIA'S FATE IF IT COMES IN POWER.
THERE R MANY OTHER THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY BUT I AM RUNNING SHORT OF TIME.WITH REGRETS AND REGARDS
ROHIT
@ Rohit, I am sad that you did not like my analysis which was apparently against the UPA. Here I should tell you that I am no big fan of NDA as well. I just wrote that which I thought was correct and actually happened.
Now regarding your queries about Inflation, let me tell you that in the later part of all the drama the oil prices were at their all time low of around 40$/barrel but then also no prices were reduced. And moreover even when the inflation was reduced there was no significant changes in the prices of daily commodities.
Now, over reservation, no party wants to loose his votes that is but obvious. Here, the point was not that which party is right or wrong, it was that whether the decision was right or wrong. And that all know was wrong from the beginning, you accept it or not.
Terrorism, as you admitted, NDA was 'marginally' better, well it was 'far more' better, if some one asks me.
Dummy PM, gosh! I cant believe you defended them on this one. For this point of my article, I was 100% sure. No doubts about that. Anybody who is a PM, should take his decisions himself, because he is the 'PRIME' minister. If you have to ask somebody to do something, then why are you at that post. Believe it or not, frankly if I was at MMS's position, I would have resigned the next minute if they forced me to do something.
And over constructive opposition, kis zamane mei jee rahe ho? Vo din lad gaye jab Nehru bhi opposition leaders ki baat sunte the aur amal bhi karte the. Now they are there to pull each other's leg. Somnath 'the headmaster' Chatterjee, literally cried one day, over their rash behaviour. Ask him when in 1970's he used to sit in opposition, he used to walk out every single time and created nuisance. They are all the same. I was not asking to look for the alternative. I was just presenting their report card, in which according to me, they have failed in all 5 subjects. Now, its up to you to believe or decide. But be sure, that this time, it will be lot more difficult and different. People are really angry. The poll result can be thunder storming. Just wait and watch.
Regards (I do not regret),
FÜHRER
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