Good Politics but Bad Economics Mr. PM!
If you have been closely observing the political developments in recent days, I'm sure by now you know that this is one big circus. I prefer watching the news these days to any movie or a sitcom. Developments in India are ludicrous.
A government is usually judged by evaluating the economics scenario, political developments and the nation's foreign policy. Needless to say that the UPA is failing miserably on all counts. The country is like a horse running amok. The PM has lost control of the reins and refuses to speak. My contention is that he is in shock or has suffered a major nervous breakdown. Why else would he condone the recent developments? His detractors suggest he is complicit in the conspiracy. Which one you might ask? Well I've lost count.
First, let us look at the economics scenario. Sonia Gandhi is desperate to implement the Food Security Bill. So desperate that it appears that she is the one starving. All this at a time when the economic situation is rapidly deteriorating. A classic case of good politics and appalling economics. Even a student of Economics 101 will know that this is an unfavourable environment to introduce the food bill; it will just make the rupee, which is already in a free fall, plunge further. A classic recipe to precipitate a crisis.
The current account deficit is ballooning. The fiscal deficit is yawning. But the headstrong Sonia ji will still insist on passing the Food Security Bill. How else will the Gandhi scion be elected? Inflation is galloping. Onions, the ingredient we all relish is getting dearer. And mind you, historically onion prices have decided the fate of governments. Corruption- to long a word to type or pronounce given the frequency with which it is used these days so please suggest an apt abbreviation- is prevalent. Unemployment is steadily increasing. The rupee- well I don't need to go there- is on a joy ride. Why isn't the PM using his economic prowess to remedy the situation? Well he has passed the mantle of leadership to the handsome and MIT educated Raghuram Ranjan; the next governor of the RBI.
Second, come down to the political developments. The parliament is in a state of paralysis. Despite the precarious environment our political leaders refuse to engage in a constructive and healthy debate. I pity Meria Kumar. I am sure the entire country sympathises with her. Controlling an unruly Lok Sabha must be a challenge. Does she take a healthy dose of aplrax before each session? I suggest the MPs should be seated in an individual and sound proof cage which is controlled by the speaker. They seem to have mysteriously forgotten how to conduct themselves in parliament. May be Infosys can design a suitable contraption.
Did you hear about the case of the missing files related to the coal scam? The coal scam investigation is being conducted by the CBI under the supervision of the Supreme Court of India. But the investigation is stymied because the Coal Ministry has lost the files! The next time the IT department asks you why you have not filed your income tax on time just tell them that "you lost the return documents".
The Congress alleges that some of the files which are lost date back to the pre 2004 era. They use this specious line of reasoning to suggest that not only the current coal minister but all ministers in the last 15 years should make a statement. Have you heard anything more absurd in your life? The files are presumably lost- most would say made to disappear- under the leadership of Mr. Jaiswal, but apparently all coal ministers are to be blamed. The next time there is a robbery in your house do remember to point fingers at all the previous owners.
Third, let us examine the foreign policy. Our government recently learned that Dawood is under the shield of the ISI and operates from Pakistan. What a revelation! I certainly did not know that. Did you? The bearded men across the border continue to fire incessantly. But the PM wants to engage with Pakistan. He always denounces these acts and urges Pakistan to dismantle the terror camps. How many times have you heard these words?
Meanwhile Arnab Goswami, during Newshour, enlightened me last night that the Chinese have crossed the border in Arunachal Pradesh. Locals and army units stationed there assert that this is a frequent violation. New Delhi always plays down such incidents. My suggestion- whenever the Chinese Armed Forces cross the LAC, just fly Mayawati to Arunachal Pradesh; rest assured they will take a U turn and never return.
A government is usually judged by evaluating the economics scenario, political developments and the nation's foreign policy. Needless to say that the UPA is failing miserably on all counts. The country is like a horse running amok. The PM has lost control of the reins and refuses to speak. My contention is that he is in shock or has suffered a major nervous breakdown. Why else would he condone the recent developments? His detractors suggest he is complicit in the conspiracy. Which one you might ask? Well I've lost count.
First, let us look at the economics scenario. Sonia Gandhi is desperate to implement the Food Security Bill. So desperate that it appears that she is the one starving. All this at a time when the economic situation is rapidly deteriorating. A classic case of good politics and appalling economics. Even a student of Economics 101 will know that this is an unfavourable environment to introduce the food bill; it will just make the rupee, which is already in a free fall, plunge further. A classic recipe to precipitate a crisis.
The current account deficit is ballooning. The fiscal deficit is yawning. But the headstrong Sonia ji will still insist on passing the Food Security Bill. How else will the Gandhi scion be elected? Inflation is galloping. Onions, the ingredient we all relish is getting dearer. And mind you, historically onion prices have decided the fate of governments. Corruption- to long a word to type or pronounce given the frequency with which it is used these days so please suggest an apt abbreviation- is prevalent. Unemployment is steadily increasing. The rupee- well I don't need to go there- is on a joy ride. Why isn't the PM using his economic prowess to remedy the situation? Well he has passed the mantle of leadership to the handsome and MIT educated Raghuram Ranjan; the next governor of the RBI.
Second, come down to the political developments. The parliament is in a state of paralysis. Despite the precarious environment our political leaders refuse to engage in a constructive and healthy debate. I pity Meria Kumar. I am sure the entire country sympathises with her. Controlling an unruly Lok Sabha must be a challenge. Does she take a healthy dose of aplrax before each session? I suggest the MPs should be seated in an individual and sound proof cage which is controlled by the speaker. They seem to have mysteriously forgotten how to conduct themselves in parliament. May be Infosys can design a suitable contraption.
Did you hear about the case of the missing files related to the coal scam? The coal scam investigation is being conducted by the CBI under the supervision of the Supreme Court of India. But the investigation is stymied because the Coal Ministry has lost the files! The next time the IT department asks you why you have not filed your income tax on time just tell them that "you lost the return documents".
The Congress alleges that some of the files which are lost date back to the pre 2004 era. They use this specious line of reasoning to suggest that not only the current coal minister but all ministers in the last 15 years should make a statement. Have you heard anything more absurd in your life? The files are presumably lost- most would say made to disappear- under the leadership of Mr. Jaiswal, but apparently all coal ministers are to be blamed. The next time there is a robbery in your house do remember to point fingers at all the previous owners.
Third, let us examine the foreign policy. Our government recently learned that Dawood is under the shield of the ISI and operates from Pakistan. What a revelation! I certainly did not know that. Did you? The bearded men across the border continue to fire incessantly. But the PM wants to engage with Pakistan. He always denounces these acts and urges Pakistan to dismantle the terror camps. How many times have you heard these words?
Meanwhile Arnab Goswami, during Newshour, enlightened me last night that the Chinese have crossed the border in Arunachal Pradesh. Locals and army units stationed there assert that this is a frequent violation. New Delhi always plays down such incidents. My suggestion- whenever the Chinese Armed Forces cross the LAC, just fly Mayawati to Arunachal Pradesh; rest assured they will take a U turn and never return.
A very interesting piece. I enjoyed the sarcasm. Keep it up.
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