| Published on 21-01-2008 In National |
| Viewed 1067 times |
| We will cotinue to stand by the Aam Aadmi |
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Written by
Nilotpal Basu |
Astrologers and fortunetellers proliferate in India. Notwithstanding all forewarnings from the scientific-minded the weak-hearted flock to bless their coffers. But to anticipate what holds out for the country and the people and not the least – the political process in 2008 is a serious business. Scrupulous analysis of the society, economy and political processes are involved. Drawing lessons from the past and analysing the concrete specifics of the present can only provide some clue to what the new-year promises.
To start with – the economy. The Indian economy is currently showing `great signs' of rapid-fire growth trajectory. The rate of inflation is not high. The foreign exchange reserves are humongous. And, what is being most talked about is – the share market climbing dizzy heights. But, this is only one part of the `good story' of the Indian economy.
The other and grimmer part is the economic inequality---India has never seen faster growth of economic inequality in its history as in the recent past. The combined wealth of the top ten billionaires amounted to Rs. 6,12,055 crores. According to the Forbes magazine, the collective wealth of forty richest Indians went up from $ 170 billion (Rs. 6,80,000 crore) in August 2006 to $ 351 billion (Rs. 14,04,000 crore) in 2007. Billionaires and millionaires are arriving on the scene in droves.
But the National Commission on Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector has come out with a very grim picture. Nearly 78 per cent of the population which is over 83 crores is earning only Rs. 20 or less every day.
Livelihoods for an overwhelming majority of Indians are in jeopardy. The villages pose the gravest challenge with a deepening agrarian crisis stalking our farmers and leading to the widespread phenomena of farmer's suicides. Agricultural growth, particularly the growth on food production, continues to remain sluggish. The Public Distribution System is on the verge of a collapse. Global nutrition surveys are showing ever-increasing rates of hunger and malnourishment in the country. In fact, India on this front is almost at the bottom in the comity of nations.
The social infrastructure and services do not show any signs of relative improvement. The Human Development Report, 2007-08 has recorded India's slippage in HDI rank from 126 to 128 among 172 nations.
And, this is what the aam admi faces. And, therefore, he is speaking out unambiguously – in social unrest, in resistance to the policies which threaten their livelihood and adversely affect their access to basic rights and services for employment, education, health, housing and clean drinking water.
The signals are loud and clear. In elections to majority of the states, the oscillating pendulum of public opinion alternates between the BJP and the Congress where the polity is bipolar. But, overall, the share of the political support of both these parties are actually going down perceptibly. The aam admi is talking with a vengeance against incumbency through his ballot. Where alternatives are available, they are also moving towards them. In large number of big states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamilnadu, and West Bengal – the two big parties(BJP and Congress) are marginal entities and only register their presence if at all by piggybacking on strong regional allies.
Wherever the frustration of the aam admi is unable to find any democratic avenue to express itself is being manifested through communal and other divisive tendencies. In certain areas, it is also being reflected in growing extremist activity.
The New Year – 2008 – is a year of major elections in a number of states. Mostly, the same pattern of anti-incumbency is very much on the cards. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh do come in this category. The only exception will be the small northeastern state of Tripura where incumbency has ushered in positive changes for majority of the people. Therefore, the euphoria over Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh appear to be misplaced and the expectations of the BJP leadership of a `turning point' are, indeed, premature.
But, on the other hand, the UPA government has to show some urgency in implementing the pro-people aspects of its CMP. The price situation, food security, employment and the social sector warrants initiatives on war footing. And, the foreign policy front should display the independence that this great nation cherishes.
The Left will continue to act as a sentinel in protecting the interests of aam admi who stand threatened by neo-liberal policies. |
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