Congress Sandesh : A Monthly Journal  
A Monthly Journal in Hindi & English

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pact with the BJP.On the basis, ordinances were issued.and ,when the perpetrators were discovered and exposed,they were withdrawn.Adangerous lack of principle the national front government 's bargining over the issue.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. .