The Hindu : National / Elections 2004 : Q & A: Manmohan Singh

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Saturday, Apr 24, 2004

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National - Elections 2004

Q & A: Manmohan Singh

The former Union Finance Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Manmohan Singh, says the National Democratic Alliance Government's political and economic policies are self-contradictory and that the `India Shining' campaign is a hoax. In the last six years, according to him, inequality has increased in the country, impacting on the country's socio-political stability. Excerpts from his interview with Luv Puri:

The National Democratic Alliance has made development the main poll issue. How far do you concur with this?

The NDA's poll gimmicks are self-contradictory. Initially, the NDA leaders tried to make development a poll issue but then they started bringing in the issue of the foreign origin of the Congress president and then they started targeting even her children. The hard facts on the ground that go against the NDA made the alliance take this U-turn in the poll campaign.

Compare the growth rate of economy, industrial development and infrastructure in the last six years with that during the Congress Government. The rate of growth in all sectors, except telecom, has come down. The rate of improvement in social indicators such as health and education has also come down.

What is upsetting is the increase in inequalities in the country and this has an adverse impact on the social fabric of the country.

What is the Congress' alternative approach to development of the country?

If we come to power we will allocate 6 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product to education and at least half of that to primary education. We have committed 5 per cent to the health sector. The party has done its homework and has charted a detailed economic programme to create an egalitarian order in the country. Our party believes the state has a definite role in this.

In its poll campaign, the BJP has claimed that it is following the liberalisation policy of Dr. Manmohan Singh, which the Congress carried out half-heartedly...

The BJP came to office opposing the reforms. But what is its record? We have taken a stand that reforms must have a human face. But what is happening now? There has been a gross neglect of agriculture leading to starvation deaths despite our granaries overflowing with foodgrains. Reforms should try to take care of the basic needs of the common man.

Even on the World Trade Organisation, the NDA is wrongly claiming credit. Any failure to evolve a consensus draft on the trading arrangement between the countries does not mean any big gain for the country. It is India's exports which will fail to reach the international market.

The Congress and the parties it is aligned with have ideological differences on the economic plane. How do you propose to resolve them?

We have broadly agreed that the state as a whole should progress. The inequalities in the country cannot be tolerated; all-round development should take place. Most State Governments right now are bankrupt and the Centre has been found wanting in this respect. All our allies, including the Left parties, agree on this.

As long as Public Sector Units make profits, they should be allowed to run like they did in the past. There is a consensus that economic strategy should benefit every section of society and should not exclude anybody.

The NDA claims that the peace process with Pakistan has got a push during its regime...

First the NDA talks of peace and then mobilises forces on the borders, spending Rs. 8,000 crores. One fine day they come to Jammu and Kashmir and extend a hand of friendship. What kind of policy is this?

Even during the Lahore Bus diplomacy the NDA termed it a paradigm shift in the stand of the Pakistani establishment. Days later it was realised that Pakistani forces had occupied Kargil.

The NDA is rejoicing over the "progress made" at the SAARC summit at Islamabad but from the statement of the Pakistan president, Pervez Musharraf, it is clear that there is hardly any change in his stand on Jammu and Kashmir. We have always supported the dialogue process but with caution and keeping the country's overall interests in mind.

Do you think the opening of historical routes with Pakistan will benefit the two countries?

We are in favour of making all efforts for normalising people-to-people contacts between the two countries. As far as economic gain is concerned, time will tell but the process first needs to start.

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