Arun Shouries article on IE. Must Read

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Shourie attributes economic growth to PM’s leadership
NT Staff Reporter

http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?pa...Story_ID=010611


Panaji, Jan 5: The Union Minister for Disinvestments, Mr Arun Shourie claimed that the ‘feel-good factor’ of the Indian economy was due to the splendid achievements of the BJP-led government at the Centre.

On mission to encourage the party workers in Goa ahead of parliamentary elections, Mr Shourie attributed the resurgent economy, booming foreign exchange and the country’s enhanced stature in the world on all fronts to the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Mr Shourie belittled the Congress as “a lost cow” and questioned whether its president, Ms Sonia Gandhi had the “maturity, dedication and perseverance to lead the nation like Mr Vajpayee.”

He was addressing a workers’ meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Menezes Braganza hall today evening in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar, his cabinet colleagues, Member of Parliament, Mr Ramakant Angle and senior party functionaries.

The programme was part of the 15-day “Vijay Vikas Sankalp Parv” organised by the BJP to celebrate the party’s achievements in governance as well as the recent victories in assembly elections in three states in North India.

“Now the world’s perception of India has changed in all spheres. Our perception of India has also changed in that we are confident of competing with the world,” Mr Shourie said.

Mr Shourie rattled off figure after exponential figure to substantiate the “feel-good factor” which he attributed to his government’s rule. He said food in the government godowns had increased to more than 60 million tonne, exports had grown to 13 billion dollars per year, foreign companies like Mercedes Benz and Nokia were having their component and software design done in India and that India’s exports with China were a billion dollars more than its imports.

Mr Shourie, who is also the Telecommunications Minister, said 20 lakh subscribers were taking new mobile or landline connections every month and that the rate had dropped to 80 paise per minute.

He praised the Prime Minister’s handling of Pakistan, terrorism, the Bodo and ULFA militancy, and referred positively to his disinvestement policies.

“These are revolutionary changes,” Mr Shourie said, adding that “there is perfect harmony between the Centre and states and perfect harmony between the parties at the Centre. There is also perfect co-ordination between the party and the government”. He dismissed the alleged differences between Mr Vajpayee and Mr Advani as “rumours” and said “National interest is first in all our decisions.”

Apparently alluding to elections, Mr Shourie said the BJP had candidates of “integrity, conviction, comprehension and perseverance” to lead India forward.