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Editorial
Time
for Consolidation
On
May 21, the United Progressive Alliance government completed
its one year in office. Though coalitions have been not
unusual in states and the Centre, this is first time a Congress-led
coalition has formed a government at the Centre. Over half
a dozen coalition governments of opposition parties had
been formed at the Centre in nearly three decades. But,
this is the first time that genuinely like-minded parties
formed a united government at the Centre, headed by the
most experienced political party in the country, the Congress
party. Congress also has the unique advantage of knowing
India, its people, their problems and their hopes and aspirations
since it led the entire nation to freedom making unestimable
sacrifices. It also had the good fortune to lead free India
on the path of socio-economic development. Congress laid
the foundation for India's economic dreams, aspiration for
equity and social justice and its claim to a place of honour
in the comity of nations. If Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence
showed the world a new path towards resolving disputes and
fight political and social repression, Jawaharlal Nehru's
non-alignment awakened the world to a new alternative to
ensure peaceful co-existence of nations. All this vast experience
of the Congress Party made the UPA government unique and
of a different quality. It is this maturity and the wisdom
gained during long years of governing free India, that reflects
in the UPA's Common Minimum Programme and the first annual
report card.
UPA
is not a coalition just for coalition sake cobbled up to
grab power; it has a mission to perform. Since Congress
knows rather too well what has been done and what strides
have been made; it also knows with clarity what needs to
be done. Since it launched free India's march, it also knows
the future course. At a time when India is soaring towards
super power status, it needs at the helm of affairs the
Congress which alone can skillfully and competently steer
the nation to its rightful destination. This is a crucial
stage in the country's modern history. Only the best of
administrators, experts and thinkers of impeccable integrity
and commitment can perform this tough and complicated task.
Congress and its partners in UPA alone have these qualifications
and qualities in the present political scenario of the nation.
One
year in office of the UPA government is certainly a matter
for celebration. The UPA partners have played their respective
roles admirably. Equally important is that the UPA partners
have exhibited total commitment to their resolve to remain
united and work as a cohesive force, despite their legitimate
differences. They have indeed set standards for coalitions.
It is not that every thing is fine. The coalition partners
have to further fine-tune their thinking on policies and
try to achieve greater unison in action. The Left plays
an important role in UPA, but needs to also learn truth
from facts, as venerable Mao Tse Tung said, and move with
times. Others who are relatively new to power at the Centre
would do well to recognize the imperatives of national perspective.
It is necessary to keep in mind that UPA Chairperson, Smt.
Sonia Gandhi had set an example and a standard by voluntarily
giving up the prime position in the government. The UPA
has equitted itself admirably in the first year. Now is
the time for consolidation. As far as the Congress Party
is concerned, it has made every effort to live upto its
commitment under the quiet and skillful stewardship of Smt.
Sonia Gandhi. As the party moves ahead, it must also review
and reassess its strength, weaknesses and act in the interests
of the party and the nation.
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