Why you need next Govt. with complete mandate?

Bikash Choudhury

UPA Govt. took over the reigns from NDA in 2004 when the “Shining India” campaign of BJP bombed at the box office. Nevertheless, NDA Govt. did two great things; one was the “Golden Quadrilateral Project” connecting the four metros and the second one was “Prime Minister Gramya Sadak Yojana”. These two projects were on the pipeline for a long time but it was the impeccable execution of NDA Govt. that made all the difference; the result of which was shown in the growth numbers during 2004-2009.UPA Govt. did take up a few important projects but due to coalition compulsion it could not execute it to perfection; one of those were JNURM and refurbished Ganga Action Plan. In spite of precarious internal security scenario UPA returned to power once again with improved mandate on the strength of MNREGS and other such populist schemes that even surprised the Congress Party and political pundits. Four years into the second innings the UPA II has garnered enviable reputation for large scale corruption scandals in land, air and even seas; however, going strong and, would apparently complete the term in 2014. But, the country’s economy has seen unprecedented challenges as never before; as Indian currency was being battered while growth tapering off without any sign of any recovery. There are increasing challenges on security on the borders with China while internally Maoist having a field day by mowing down three dozens of senior Congress leaders in the State of  Chatisghar. If India were to reverse this trend and return to double digit growth while consolidating on the security situation at the borders and inside; then, it may need a Govt. with complete mandate  to conceive and execute policies that would put the country’s economy into faster recovery. For that to happen, the next Govt. would need to transform our bureaucracy as the engine of growth, bring about social and economic reengineering, pursue diplomatic offensive towards a united Indian Sub- Continent and prosperous South Asia while being ready with a defensive military preparedness. It is very unlikely, a coalition Govt. could be able to address such challenges and therefore, we need to educate our electorate to choose their next Govt. wisely.