Rampant corruption defining feature of UPA Government
The UPA led by Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister and Smt. Sonia Gandhi as the head of UPA will, in few months enter its 10th year in the Government. This indeed will be the last year of this Government before election. Each passing day once again reinforces the impression that Dr. Manmohan Singh Government is the most corrupt union Government since independence. It is not a coalition Government but is indeed a coalition of the corrupt.
Big scams, scandalous corruption, instances of bribery, kickbacks and gross financial impropriety appears and reappears with such alarming regularity that it becomes difficult to keep even a count of the same. All this happened because there is collusion at high level and operators and middle-men conspicuously patronised by the political leadership of the Government have managed to swindle lacs of Crores of public money in scam after scam. In majority of the cases there is not only connivance but active involvement of important elements in the political leadership of this Government. Infact both the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi have repeatedly maintained “conspiracy of silence” “culpability of inaction” and gross indifference when nation’s wealth was being systematically plundered. Scam after scam has indeed stunned the nation.
Series of Scam
The list is indeed endless. The massive corruption in the allotment of 2G licences in the Ministry of Telecommunication would remain the most shameful saga in the history of independent India in which scam a huge amount of Rs. 1.76 Lacs Crores is involved. Even though the Supreme Court has cancelled the licences and the trial is going on yet senior Minister of Government still insist that there has been no wrong doing. The Prime Minister has continued to give certificate of innocence to the Finance Minister Mr. Chidambaram even though substantial evidence exists against him. The CBI was not allowed to examine his role and that of the PMO in this massive scam. Disturbing reports about prosecutor of CBI being in league with accused has given rise to further apprehension about fairness of investigation and trial.
In the Common Wealth Games organisation scam though Mr. Suresh Kalmadi along with many of his associates are facing trial yet the buck obviously does not stop with him. He is only one of the players and the rot runs deep. Every file was approved by the cabinet, cabinet sub-committee, Group of Minister, Expenditure Finance Committee and lastly Even the Prime Minister. The Shunglu Committee appointed by the Prime Minister himself has very severely commented against the Delhi Government headed by Smt. Sheila Dikshit. The Committee has noted that “there was a method in the madness and undue delay on projects was perhaps a deliberate attempt at higher levels to create a sense of panic with a view to giving undue advantage to all concerned”. The scam is worth Rs. 70,000 Crores and inspite of PM assurance on floor of the Parliament no investigation is being done by the CBI against the Sheila Dikshit Government.
The Coalgate where 142 coal blocks were allotted, many to the kith and kin of Congress leadership and to those who were favourably disposed towards the Congress coffers in the most unfair and arbitrary manner has cost the nation a huge amount of Rs. 1.86 Lacs crores. The CBI is being denied the relevant files to have proper investigation. The reason is obvious because during most of the time this scam happened Dr. Manmohan Singh was also the Coal Minister apart from being the Prime Minister. Therefore Dr. Manmohan Singh is politically and morally responsible directly for the coalgate scam and what is truly unfortunate is that even a fair enquiry is being denied.
Reluctance to bringing black money (25 Lacs Crore approx) stashed away in foreign banks, Devas-Antrix deal (Rs. 2 Lacs Crore), scam in the commercial allotment of prime land worth thousands of crores in the privatization of International Airport, Delhi, the Adarsh Housing Scam; the list remains endless. In most of these cases an investigation was possible only because of aggressive campaign by the BJP, the media and intervention by the Courts. The Government has no role what so ever because it always tried to shield the corrupt with impunity.
Bribery in the purchase of helicopters – the latest scam
As if the various scams involving plunder of lacs of crores of public money were not enough, payment of huge bribery and kickbacks in the purchase of VIP helicopters from AgustaWestland and its principal Italian company Finmeccanica is the latest chapter of loot under the UPA Government. Serious question were being raised for the last more than one year in this deal involving public money to tune of about 4,000 Crores. The matter was raised in the Parliament by the BJP last year itself. Even the Income Tax Department had sought to make inquiry and serious allegation has come in public domain that huge commission to the tune of nearly Rs. 350 Crores have been paid as kickbacks. Yet the Government of India did not inquire into the matter and the Defence Minister even told the Parliament that there is nothing wrong. The entire contract was finalised and executed by the UPA Government.
The Italian authorities were investigating the corruption charges against the supplier company Finmeccanica and ultimately arrested even the CEO of this company on bribery charges in the helicopter deal. After national uproar once again the Government was compelled to act. Now the CBI has acknowledged that middle-men allegedly routed bribes to several Indian national through Tunisia and Mauritius routs. Employment of any middle-men is a crime with serious consequences under Indian law. The record of this Government in the bribery cases relating to Arms deal is notorious. It is too well known that every attempt was made to bail-out Ottavio Quattrocchi in the Bofors bribery scandal because of his well known Italian connection.
The BJP would like to caution that the helicopter scam should not be allowed to follow the same fate. In this case few facts are evident – who paid the kickbacks is well known, what was the amount paid is also known, the only investigation needed is to identify the beneficiaries in India. Obviously such a huge scam cannot be confined to a former Air Chief and his associates. There were influential people high in the Government who were patronising and facilitating it. The country wants that their names be made public and they must be prosecuted and the Government must ensure that quickly. Inaction for one year has already eroded the credibility of this Government. Someone somewhere was trying to save someone having high connection. There are too many suspicious circumstances to show that the Government is not interested in a fair investigation.
The recent debate in the Parliament (Rajya Sabha) has confirmed once again that the Government is not serious in identifying those who are the bribe takers. For the last more than one year the Government did not take any proper inquiry. The issue was in public domain even the income tax department wanted to investigate the role of middle-man. In Italy the investigation went on for the last one year yet the Government kept quite. Even now no formal FIR has been lodged by the CBI. Those who received the bribe are certainly in India because they influenced the deal in favour of the Italian company. With an FIR much earlier proper police investigation could have been done, accused arrested, interrogated and documents formally requisitioned and some of the middle-men sought to be extradited. Till date even an FIR not been lodged inspite of almost unanimous demand nor did the Government give any assurance in this regard. Therefore, the sudden insistence to have a JPC by the UPA Government was nothing but designed to deflect and buy time knowing fully well that JPC has no powers of police investigation, arrest interrogation etc. Such an inquiry by the JPC even otherwise cannot be completed in three months and with the Lok Sabha entering its last year soon the Government intention looks suspect. The Government seems determined to give long ropes to the accused so that they are able to destroy evidence. The BJP demands that if the names of those who gave the bribe are known, in what transaction it was given is known then prompt investigation, arrest, interrogation and prosecution of all those must be done who have received the bribe money including their patrons who influenced the deal.
The institution of an effective Lokpal and an autonomous and accountable CBI are important institution to check corruption and the BJP stands committed for the same.
India’s image has suffered a serious dent
Never before the Government of India being repeatedly questioned on its credibility as now. The country’s image has suffered a serious dent globally because of series of corruption which has become the most notorious feature of the UPA Government. Public perception about India world over is at an all time known because of policy paralysis and mal-governance of the UPA-II. The slew of administrative decision being labelled “reform measure” obviously cannot make any impact because the mood of hope is over and the dream of India becoming an important global player is being seriously questioned. All this is happening inspite of extraordinary potential of this great country and infinite promise of its people. In its place now there is gloom and despair.
Threat of Terrorism – Serious challenge to India’s security
The recent bomb blast on February 21, 2013 in Hyderabad left about 16 people dead and 90 seriously injured. The ugly head of terrorism is again playing havoc with our security. Since July 2005 about 25 major terrorist attacks have happened in different parts of the country in which about 500 innocent Indians have been killed. Obviously this does not include security forces and many elected sarpanches who have been killed in J&K because the people elected them through democratic process. Terrorist have targeted New Delhi the political capital of India, Mumbai the commercial capital of India, Bangalore and Hyderabad the knowledge capital of India, Varanasi the spiritual centre of India and Pune a well known cultural and educational centre of India besides many other towns and even the rural areas. Terrorists who are main planners and conspirators enjoy safe sanctuary in Pakistan because of the patronage they enjoy from the elements of ruling establishment and the armed forces in the Pakistan. Both state and non-state actors play their own part in Pakistan. Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), enjoys enormous patronage from ruling establishment of Pakistan a fact too well known. The Indian Mujahideen (IM), the prime suspects in the Hyderabad blast has over the years evolved as country’s most lethal terror outfit whose rationale is revenge and prime motivation gruesome attacks in crowded places. Its main proponents are also enjoying safe sanctuary in Pakistan.
BJP firmly believes that normalcy in relationship with Pakistan is not possible unless it takes decisive action against terrorist elements operating from its soil against India – a commitment which Pakistan acknowledged in the January 2004 agreement between then Prime Minister Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Musharraf. The UPA Government almost forgot this agreement. Though in the wake off 26/11 attack in Mumbai it took a tough stand against Pakistan but subsequently it kept diluting its position. At Sharm el-Sheikh in July 2009 it reversed its position and the demand for action against the perpetrators of Mumbai carnage became a mere ritual.
The UPA during most of the time focused more on politicising terror. When the NDA Government enacted the Prevention of Terrorism Act the Congress Party opposed it as anti minority and not anti terrorism even though the Supreme Court has upheld it. Mr. Sushil kr. Shinde the current Home Minister having a dismal record raked up the bogey of saffron and Hindu terror forgetting completely that terrorism has no colour or religion and that saffron and Hindu tradition represent the finest strands of our civilisational and cultural heritage. Obviously his comments gladdened the hearts of terrorist in Pakistan. Hafiz Saeed the mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attack publicly welcomed it. The fact that Mr. Shinde expressed regret that he had no intention to hurt either the BJP or RSS will not deny Pakistan and terrorist there to point baseless accusing fingers.
The capital punishment to Afzal Guru was deliberately delayed again for vote bank inspite of the Supreme Court having upheld it more than seven years ago. The Government ought to have taken adequate measures to prevent any terrorist revenge in its wake. Home Minister Mr. Shinde’s statement that the Government had information about a potential terrorist attack does not mitigate the failure to prevent the Hyderabad blast. Obviously the Government has a lot to explain as to why it failed to act in time when it had to knowledge? Unfortunately rank politicisation of terror for vote bank politics has only weakened the nation’s resolve and capacity to combat this menace. BJP firmly believes that there must be zero tolerance and compromise against terrorism because not only the security and integrity but even the sovereignty of the country is involved. If hard decisions are needed it must be taken regardless of consequences.
There is a need for capacity building in the fight against terror. It is the combined responsibility of the centre and the state to combat terrorism. Under our constitutional scheme defence of India is the responsibility of the Central Government. Public order and police fall within the domain of states. The fight against terrorism can and must co-exist with federalism. It would be meaningless to debate an imaginary federalism verses terrorism issue. There is no objection in principle to a National Terrorism Counter Centre but its powers and jurisdiction must be within the constitutional framework.
The threat of Maoism and Naxalism remains serious as ever. They continue to kill with impunity innocent mostly in the rural areas as well as large number of security forces in different parts of the country. It is a national problem but the Government lacks the vision and direction as to how to tackle it?
Barbaric attack on Indian Soldiers by Pakistani Army
The recent killing of two brave Indian soldiers by Pakistani Army on the J&K border in the most inhuman and barbaric manner has created national outrage. The way their bodies were beheaded is totally unacceptable and deserves strong condemnation. We must recognise and respect the discretion of our brave Armed forces to give a suitable reply at an appropriate time. Obviously with all this and its sponsorship of terrorism against India, it is high time certain clear boundaries must be drawn in any engagement with Pakistan. Obviously meaningful engagement is not possible if innocent Indians continue to die because of terrorism sponsored from across the border.
The BJP is deeply concerned and condemns the recent attack on minority Hindus in Bangladesh by activists of the fundamentalist forces there. Many places of worship and houses have been destroyed of Hindus and even they have suffered physical assault. The BJP demands that the Government of India must take up the matter seriously at the diplomatic level with the Government of Bangladesh and ensure safety and security of the Hindus including their habitation and temples.
Women security in the centre of India’s political discourse
The unfortunate and inhuman gang rape and murder of a brave daughter of India in the capital recently has shocked the country. This has happened right in the capital of India is indeed a matter of shame and deserves strong condemnation. There was a very justified indignation in the entire country. The way peaceful protest largely by young people was handled by police and administration in Delhi is reprehensible. Young boys and girls along with some of their parents were brutally lathi charged and made to suffer water canon in freezing winter. Such incidents against women continues and unabated. The recent rape and murder of three minor girls in Bhandara(Maharashtra) and inaction by the police deserves strong condemnation. If India has to grow its women must feel safe and secure and it is our collective responsibility. The BJP is willing to support all firm legal and administrative measures to achieve this. Mere tokenism will not help. What is important is to improve on a priority basis police, legal and judicial infrastructure to apprehend and punish the guilty quickly.
Explosive situation in Assam
The situation in Assam remains highly explosive. An inept Congress Government whose only concern is vote bank politics and shelter to lacs of infiltrators from Bangladesh who have illegally settled in various part of Assam is only adding fuel to fire. The tribal population of Assam has become the biggest victim of this deadly combination. Recently about more than 20 tribal people were killed in Goalpara district who were rightly opposing the rural Panchayat election in Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council. The Gogoi Government was compelled under pressure from the illegal immigrants to force such election in spite of legitimate objection by the tribal people. Earlier nearly 50 people have been killed and over 2 lacs people rendered homeless in prolonged communal ethnic violence in and around Kokrajhar district. Violent clashes had broken out between native Bodos and illegal Muslim migrants from Bangladesh which is changing the states demographic profile especially of the district close to border. In Bodo populated areas this flood of illegal immigrants has caused large scale usurpation of tribal lands and made Bodos feel that they are being marginalised in their own land. Dr. Manmohan Singh who is a Rajya Sabha Member from Assam for the last more than 20 years must understand the gravity of the situation which indeed is a national problem. The Tarun Gogoi Government has totally failed to give security and safety to the tribal people of Assam. The interest of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh is more important for the Congress Government than the interest of tribals and others communities of Assam and North-east.
Any tampering with Ram Sethu is not acceptable
The BJP is strongly opposed to any move to tamper with Ram Sethu under the Sethu Samundram project. The UPA Government has recently rejected the Pachauri panel report which has raised serious ecological and economical concern. With an objective approach surely an alternative route can be found for the project. However, the very intention of the Government of India is seriously suspect. It had filed an affidavit earlier in the Supreme Court questioning the very existence of Lord Ram and was compelled to withdraw it only after a nation wide uproar. Any damage or tampering with Ram sethu is plainly not acceptable. Lord Ram epitomises the essence of India’s cultural, spiritual and civilisational heritage of India. The identity of India is incomplete without him and the story of Ram is incomplete without Ram Sethu. In this connection the BJP appreciates with assurance the initiative of the present Tamilnadu Government to declare it a monument of national importance.
Ganga and Yamuna are not only river but are the very life line of our country and represent its heritage. There present condition is a matter of deep concern. Its should be a matter of national resolve to restore these two rivers to its original glory in terms of cleaniness and uninterrupted flow.
Historic third continuous victory of the BJP in the State of Gujarat under Sh. Narendra Modi
The National Council warmly congratulates the people of Gujarat for giving the third continuous victory to the BJP in the state under the able leadership of CM Narendra Modi. His record of good governance which has brought remarkable growth and all round development in the state was ably supported by the people which a gave massive mandate for the third time. The Congress Party could not give even a serious fight with its many top leaders defeated convincingly.
We are confident that with their extraordinary performance the BJP Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Sh. Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Sh. Raman Singh will also register their third consecutive win when elections are held there in few months.
While we rejoice in our victory in Gujarat there is a need to introspect and draw the right lessons for our defeat in Himachal Pradesh. The state of Jharkhand is presently under President Rule and election must be held at earliest to enable the people to elect a popular Government. Any attempt by the centre to bring in Congress control indirectly through the President Rule will not be acceptable. We compliment the re-election of Naga People Front Government in Nagaland with which the BJP was in alliance. It is high time that the political resolution of Naga problem is expedited within the Indian Constitution.
Time to redeem India – NDA under the leadership of BJP the only credible alternative
The people of the country are truly fed up with rank corruption, mal-governance, price rise and unresponsive record of the UPA Government which has made the life of the common man utterly miserable. They recall fondly Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee led NDA Government which has left a great legacy of hope, enthusiasm, participation, tangible growth, good management of price rise and overall feeling of general goodwill which in turn has propelled India on the high road of an emerging big league player. In its place now there is gloom and despair. The UPA is leaving a legacy of “insecure India” and “suffering India”. India needs to be redeemed by the NDA under the leadership of BJP. Its a matter of great pride that when the nation’s growth rate is at below 5% under the UPA, most of the BJP and NDA ruled states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Punjab are recording an impressive growth rate of 10% plus. This has been possible because of good governance and a clear focus of growth with equity. It is time to awaken the country, expand the NDA and generate a hope for decisive change whenever election is held. The BJP wants to assure the people particularly the youth of the country that it will give India its rightful place – An India of hope, an India that is safe and secure, an India where there is all round progress which is inclusive and pervasive. The choice is clear - to relieve the country of the misery and misrule of the Congress led UPA, the BJP led NDA with its exemplary record of good governance is the only alternative. The National Council calls upon all the party workers to dedicate themselves fully towards this goal and spread out in every parts of the country for a decisive change for the country.
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