The UPA- II has celebrated the completion of two years in office on May 22. It largely went unnoticed despite generously advertising in the media and holding a lavish party at the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s 7, Race Course residence. What was more evident was the lack of enthusiasm either among the partners or the Congress which holds them together.
The UPA, however, has reason to be patting itself that it has offered political stability at the Centre and has been in power for seven years now. Most likely it might even complete its full term making a total of ten years in office. According to a recent survey, the Prime Minister’s and the UPA’s popularity is on the decline. But it is definitely better now than a year ago when according to an India Today survey, the Prime Minister’s popularity had plummeted to just one per cent. That in spite of all the misdeeds, scandals and utter incompetence at all levels the UPA has survived all these years is the biggest travesty of our times.
This diarchy has been floundering with practically nothing to show for itself but scams and more scams. The monumental 2G Scam is of 2008 make, of the UPA-1. So is Adarsh housing scam. The seeds of the CWG scam were also in the first tenure though it was actually enacted in the second inning. If Manmohan Singh has already earned the dubious distinction of heading the most corrupt Indian government in history, what will be the sobriquet for him when he completes his second term, when the details of the civil aviation, defence and Jethapur nuclear power deals surface? Under the UPA , the profitable civil aviation sector has become sick. It is only a matter of time when the Air India is closed down or sold off to the private bidder at a huge loss to the national exchequer. The entire infrastructure sector is facing crisis under the UPA.
There is nothing called governance under Dr Manmohan Singh. He claims, whenever in trouble—which is too often—that he is doing his “level best” to set things right. This is his refrain on corruption, on administrative lapses, economic misery, price rise and inflation.
He cannot any more boast that the stock market is booming. For over a year now, the stock market is giving jitters and sleepless nights to the investers. The only consolation is that the Prime Minister has recently confessed that he too does not get sleep in the night. Understandable, considering what he has done to his country. He has wasted a golden, god-sent – in the normal circumstances he would have never become Prime Minister—chance to serve his country.
In the last seven years, the number of poor has doubled notwithstanding the manipulated, unrealistic (Rs 20 per day) below poverty line (BPL) estimation. The government has increased fuel price nine times in as many months. Throughout the UPA tenure, the food inflation has become a curse for the common man. The EMI for housing loans or consumer durables has doubled under the UPA. Its tolerance of jehadis, Maoists and anti-nationals have created such a situation that persons convicted of sedition find pride of place in the Planning Commission and their fellow travellers are safely perched in the NAC, an extra-constitutional body which these days has become a super cabinet with no accountability.
This total disdain for constitutional accountability and credentials is the biggest disservice and betrayal of this government to the people of this country. A report the other day said, India has so far spent Rs 48 crore for keeping the terrorist captured in 26/11 alive. Another report said, the victims of the same terror attack are still waiting for the promised compensation. The UPA’s fanciful approach to mercy petitions the other day invited the apex court ire. The government gives the impression that it is bent on reassuring the enemies of this nation by all possible means. It is thinking of bringing a Communal Riots Act, the draft of which was allegedly prepared by Syed Shahabuddin, Teesta Setalwad and some members of the NAC. The manner in which it is written gives the impression that all riots are instigated by Hindus and the idea is to protect minorities from Hindu “zealots”.
Such gimmicks are the natural outcome of running a government that has fast depleted its mandate. All the promised reforms in the economic front are in limbo. It has no fresh ideas. The assembly polls have clearly indicated the falling graph of its mass base. But for Assam the Congress has lost everywhere. It is facing a huge revolt in Andhra. At the end of the day, it is left with only official ceremonies marking its anniversary.
