06-08-2004, 02:32 AM
<b>Some points not so common</b>
Pioneer News Service/ New Delhi
The Common Minimum programme of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) definitely formed the bedrock of the presidential address to the joint session of Parliament, but some curious alterations once again point towards the inevitability of a delicate balancing act under pressures of coalition politics.
The presidential address, laden with promises for the poor, farmers, women and the minorities, and laced with stinging criticism of communal forces, at times deviated from the CMP, especially in the context of the sale of profit-making companies, Naxalites and the United States.
The nuances are perhaps indicative of the fact that the Government felt less of the Left's pressure while outlining its agenda than the allies did at the stage of making the coalition's programme. The CMP categorically says: "Generally profit-making companies will not be privatised." It also says the Government will retain existing `navaratnas' companies in the public sector.
There were no such categorical commitments in the President's address. While asserting its commitment to a strong and effective public sector, it said: "Privatization will be considered on a case-to-case basis."
The presidential address, however, was more forthcoming on the chronically loss-making companies, saying: "It will either be sold off, or closed, after workers get their legitimate dues and compensation." The CMP's tenor on this subject is different as it says: "While every effort will be made to modernise and restructure sick public sector companies and revive sick industry, chronically loss-making companies will either be sold off or closed."
The change of stance on the ultra Left-wing violence is very interesting. The CMP does not mention the word Naxalite in its entire text, obviously under pressure from the Left which is supporting the Government from outside. But the Presidential address clearly said: "The Government is concerned about the growth of Naxalite violence in various parts of the country."
The President described it as "senseless violence" but went on to show the required sensitivity to the subject as does the CMP, by arguing that such violence is symptomatic of a much deeper socio-economic malaise, which needed to be treated systematically. It vowed to put the Naxalite-affected areas on a higher trajectory of economic growth so that they catch up with the rest of the country.
On the question of the United States, the CMP takes care not to lay any special emphasis on India's relations with the super power. Stressing instead on seeking to promote multi-polarity and oppose unilateralism, it gives just a passing reference to the super power, saying: "Even as it pursues closer engagement and relations with the USA, the UPA Government will maintain the independence of India's foreign policy position.
"But the Government has opened up further in the presidential address, saying: "India attaches high importance to its relations with the United States of America. We will pursue a closer strategic and economic engagement with the USA, the European Union and Japan." The address did talk of reorienting non-alignment in the post-Cold War world and fostering multipolarity but did not speak of opposing unilateralism.
Although, even on these points, the shift was not substantive enough to raise eyebrows, other promises and programmes of the CMP have been fully accommodated in the presidential address. While President Kalam read the entire text of the speech before the joint session, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat only read out the operative parts in Hindi.
Pioneer News Service/ New Delhi
The Common Minimum programme of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) definitely formed the bedrock of the presidential address to the joint session of Parliament, but some curious alterations once again point towards the inevitability of a delicate balancing act under pressures of coalition politics.
The presidential address, laden with promises for the poor, farmers, women and the minorities, and laced with stinging criticism of communal forces, at times deviated from the CMP, especially in the context of the sale of profit-making companies, Naxalites and the United States.
The nuances are perhaps indicative of the fact that the Government felt less of the Left's pressure while outlining its agenda than the allies did at the stage of making the coalition's programme. The CMP categorically says: "Generally profit-making companies will not be privatised." It also says the Government will retain existing `navaratnas' companies in the public sector.
There were no such categorical commitments in the President's address. While asserting its commitment to a strong and effective public sector, it said: "Privatization will be considered on a case-to-case basis."
The presidential address, however, was more forthcoming on the chronically loss-making companies, saying: "It will either be sold off, or closed, after workers get their legitimate dues and compensation." The CMP's tenor on this subject is different as it says: "While every effort will be made to modernise and restructure sick public sector companies and revive sick industry, chronically loss-making companies will either be sold off or closed."
The change of stance on the ultra Left-wing violence is very interesting. The CMP does not mention the word Naxalite in its entire text, obviously under pressure from the Left which is supporting the Government from outside. But the Presidential address clearly said: "The Government is concerned about the growth of Naxalite violence in various parts of the country."
The President described it as "senseless violence" but went on to show the required sensitivity to the subject as does the CMP, by arguing that such violence is symptomatic of a much deeper socio-economic malaise, which needed to be treated systematically. It vowed to put the Naxalite-affected areas on a higher trajectory of economic growth so that they catch up with the rest of the country.
On the question of the United States, the CMP takes care not to lay any special emphasis on India's relations with the super power. Stressing instead on seeking to promote multi-polarity and oppose unilateralism, it gives just a passing reference to the super power, saying: "Even as it pursues closer engagement and relations with the USA, the UPA Government will maintain the independence of India's foreign policy position.
"But the Government has opened up further in the presidential address, saying: "India attaches high importance to its relations with the United States of America. We will pursue a closer strategic and economic engagement with the USA, the European Union and Japan." The address did talk of reorienting non-alignment in the post-Cold War world and fostering multipolarity but did not speak of opposing unilateralism.
Although, even on these points, the shift was not substantive enough to raise eyebrows, other promises and programmes of the CMP have been fully accommodated in the presidential address. While President Kalam read the entire text of the speech before the joint session, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat only read out the operative parts in Hindi.