New York Times (May 23, 2012)
India’s Government Optimistic at Third Anniversary, But Voters Are Not
By HARI KUMAR
B Mathur/Reuters
From left: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minsiter Manmohan
Singh and Sonia Gandhi, Congress party president, hold up copies of
the report released on the government’s completion of three years in
office, in New Delhi May 22, 2012.
The United Progressive Alliance on Tuesday night, in New Delhi, hailed
its achievements in reducing poverty and increasing security as it
marked its third year of its second term as the governing coalition of
India, even as recent polls show the Congress Party-led government is
losing favor with the public.
At a gathering of Congress Party and coalition officials, Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh listed the government’s successes, including a
decline in poverty and improved agriculture production. But he
acknowledged citizens’ dissatisfaction by saying, “I will be the first
to say we need to do better. But let no one doubt that we have achieved
much.”
The government is fast losing popularity among voters, mainly because
of allegations of widespread corruption, delays in passing key
legislation to combat corruption and the deteriorating economy. The
Congress Party has also lost key regional elections recently.
Opinion surveys conducted by local news agencies over the past few
months have come to the same conclusion: that the ruling coalition is
losing ground to the opposition coalition, which is headed by the
Bharatiya Janata Party.
“We know there is public frustration and anger on the issue of
corruption,” Mr. Singh said. “Legislation is before Parliament to
establish a lokpal [anti-corruption ombudsman], ensure time-bound
delivery of public goods and services and judicial accountability.”
The government is facing increasing criticism from opposition parties
about its inaction in checking inflation and passing key economic
reforms, as economic growth is slowing and the value of the rupee is
weakening, along with the country’s stock markets and foreign direct
investment.
“Our political opposition speaks loudly, is aggressive and levels
irresponsible allegations,” said Sonia Gandhi, head of the Congress
Party. “But we always maintain dignity and decency.”
Prakash Javadekar, a Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman, took issue with
Mrs. Gandhi’s remarks, saying: “This statement in itself is
irresponsible. The hallmark of three years of UPA is inflation,
corruption and indecision,” referring to the governing coalition. “They
have ruined the growth story of the country and betrayed the common
man.”
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