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II
A POLITICAL DIASTER
The
National Front Unleashed communal animosity
After the last elections ,the national front was ready to go to
length to form the central government by hook or by crook. it was
ready even to compromise with the forces of communalism.To this
end ,it entered into a wholly unprincipled and opportunistic electoral
alliance with the BJP which gave the forces of communalism unprecedented
power and influence.In consequences ,the country has suffered the
worst communal tensions. violence and rioting since partition ,As
has been shown both in 1977-79 and 1989-90,whenever unprincipled
anti-congress coalitions are cobbled together in the naked pursuit
of power , communal forces surge to the force.the worst sufferers
are the poors and the innocent of all communities.
Since
mid-1989 and through the most of 1990,the national front and the
BJP were allies and partners .they collaborated in deliberately
sabogating the efforts of the congress to evolve an agreed solution
to the vexed issue of the Ram JanmaBhoomi-babri-masjid.This was
a diabolical conspiracy to use religion to defeat the secular forces
led by congress.communal passions were relentless whipped up and
blatant falsehood freely spread.Despite knowing full well that this
action would lead to unprecedented communal conflict ,the Prime
minister of the national front government cynically entered into
an unholy secret pact with the BJP.On the basis, ordinances were
issued.and ,when the perpetrators were discovered and exposed,they
were withdrawn.Adangerous lack of principle the national front government
's bargining over the issue.
The
National front connived at the BJP's rath yatra which inflamed communal
passions and the National front government's ineptitude led to damage
to the babri Masjid and the placing of flags on the gumbaz of the
mosque on the October 30.1990.The national front and aablp offered
nothing to resolve the issue amicably.
The National Front compromised with animosity
The
National Front did not understand the spirit or the letter of the
constitutional provisions regarding special measures for the socially
and educationally backward classes On the other hand ,for that had
nothing to with the real concern of the back ward classes, the National
Front government perceptibly announced a partial scheme of reservations
that has secured nothing concrete for the backward classes but left
behind it terrible trail of death, destruction and disharmony.
The National Front compromised with terrorism
Beginning with release of several hard-core terroriats,the National
Front Government continuously compromised with secessionists and
terrorists in Punjab ,Kashmir ,Assam and Tamil nadu.In the process
,secular and nationalist forces were greatly weakened.The country's
unity and integrity came under threat.
The
National Front bungled in Punjab
By the November 1989 ,nearly half the police stations in Punjab
had not reported any incidents of terrorism in two years. In the
contrast, 1990 witnessed a new high in the level of terrorist depredations
,with the death toll at 2,849 being twice as high as in previous
year. This high level of terrorist violence continued into 1991.Worse
,all parts of Punjab-malwa,majha and Doab-are now terrorist -infested.
Punjab has seen four governors in one year. The writ of the government
has ceased to run in large parts of the state.This is the direct
and inevitable outcome of there being no policy on Punjab except
appeasement and gimmickry. A problem that had been brought well
under control with cooperation of the brave and secular people of
Punjab has been woefully mis-managed.The gains of the past actions
have been thoughtlessly frittered away.
The National Front bungled in Kashmir
Kashmir was not an issue in the 1989 elections. In the fifteen months,
the national front Government and its successor have so aggravated
the situation as to aliente the people of Kashmir as never before
and turns it into an issue used against India by our enemies in
the world forums.1500 innocent people have been killed in Kashmir
since 1990 in contrast to 90 deaths in 1989.thousands were uprooted
from their homes. there have been shameful violations of human rights
.the valley is in the grip of a pervasive fear psychosis. communal
amity built over the centuries ,for which the valley was renowned
,lies tattered.The
National Front Government dismissed an elected Government in the
state, thus weakening nationalist ,democratic and secular forces
in the valley.The Government actions have given the great fillip
ever to terrorist , communist. Fanatical and secessionist forces.
The
National
Front bungled in Assam
The
Assam gana parishd (AGP) established the United Liberation Front
of Assam (ULFA) as its militant arm. This terrorist, anti-national
outfit has plunged the state into violent conflict. Instead of controlling
them, the AGP government allowed, and even encouraged ,the secessionist
and terrorist forces to secure training ,arms and foreign support.
The National Front Government at the center proved impotent in the
stopping this despite the AGP being a constituent of the National
Front.The former Chief Minister of Assam is now openly preaching
secession.
The National Front bungled in Tamil Nadu
There
has been wide speared Sri Lankan militant activity in Tamil Nadu
and a return of Lakhs of refigees from the Jaffna peninsula to the
state. It was the encouragement and the protection given to Sri
Lankan militants by the state government run by the DMK, the constituent
of the National Front , which resulted in the spread of a cult of
violence in the state.The DMK insulted the brave Indians jawans
& betrayed the national interest.
The
National Front abused the office Governor
For
the first time in India, governors were dismissed emmase,politicizing
and weakening an office that plays a vital role in ensuring the
Consitutional governance of our States.
The
National Front deceived the nation on Bofors
The national front misled the nation with the false accusations
against the congress and its leader.It promised to reveal the "truth"
on bofors in 15 days.15 months have passed and nothing has been
established .It is now clear that the whole controversy was a campaign
of a calumny baseless,dihonest and motivated.
The
National Front: A picture of chaos and confusion
Fifteen
months of rule tell a sordid tale of intrigue ,infighting ,corruption
and horse trading in the original Janata Dal. The party ,being a
house divided against itself from the very inception , had neither
the will nor the capacity to address the country's problem.
And
now, there are SPLITS all over:
SPLIT
IN Janata Dal;
SPLIT in the Janata Dal(s);
SPLIT in the AGP.
AN
ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE
The profligacy of the National Front Government and its successor
have truly left our coffers empty.
Prices have skyrocketed. The current rate of inflation is in the
excess of 16% per annum. Everthing
costs more -from food to clothing to housing to transport. The budget
of 1990 squeezed the poor and the middle classes. There have been
steep hike in rail freights, customs and excise duties and prices
of essential commodities. The massive increase in the fuel prices
in October,1990 was another cruel blow .Economic growth slowed down,
investments declined, unemployment utterly improvised the common
man in India.
The country is burdened with a huge fiscal deficit. The balance
of payments is in a mess. Our imports are running out of control.Our
capital account is in the gravest ever known .Our creditwothiness
in the world is at an all-time low.We aremocked at international
financial circles. Our foreign exchanges reserves stood at Rs 6000
crore when the National Front Office took the office.It is now down
to almost nothing .Between them .two non-congress government have
in just 15 months left the nation virtually bankrupt.
The
National Front's motivated decision cost the nation clear.
In withdrawing A-320 aircraft from the service in a vain attempt
to tarnish the image of the previous Congress Government , Only
to RE-induct them eventually ,the National Front Government made
the nation pay Rs 170 crores price for its political gimmick.Untold
inconvenience ws inflicted on the traveling public.The economy was
needlessly burdened.Our credibility in international markets was
needlessly compromised.
The
National Front halted development in every field
In every field of social and economic development ,the National
Front annulled the well thought out policies and programs of the
previous congress government, without offering any alternative policies
and programmes , thus throwing development into a state of paralysis.
The
National Front lowered India's international prestige
Under the national Front ,India suddenly ceased to count in the
world forums.the National Front Government meekly followed the dictates
of outside powers and tailored our economic policies to suit their
demands.it stood by silently as foreign leaders publicity ranted
and railed against our country and our people. .
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