Enough of the smaller parties?

Ever since the era of coalition governments has come to stay the clout of the smaller parties has grown, disproportionate to the support they have from the electorate, especially of those that choose to remain out of government. This has often meant the arm twisting of the government without any accountability and stalling of policies and programs that are essential for the speedy development of the country.

by BRIJ BHARDWAJ

Marginal parties in India have wielded influence and power far beyond their numbers in Parliament as well as support among the electorates during the last one decade. This came about when coalitions replaced one party rule at Center as no single party was in apposition to form a Government on its own and needed help of different parties to build a simple majority in Lok Sabha. This combination included a large number of groups numbering close to double figure. Some of these parties had support in double figure while there were many with two or three members. Most of them, however had to be provided berths in the council of Ministers.

The real power was exercised by groups which chose to stay out of council of ministers and lent support from outside. In case of National Democratic Alliance led Government with Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister this role was played by Telugu Desam and AI-ADMK. In one case AI-ADMK brought about the fall of the Government and the country had to go for fresh elections. In the case of TDP, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, used his power base to get goodies for his state in term of more funds and placing officials from the State in key positions at Center.

This trend has continued in the UPA era where the Left parties with support of around sixty members and five per cent vote base have exercised the kind of veto power in a manner that makes one wonder if such combinations are the answer to problem created by national parties base shrinking and rise of regional parties. In all these combinations the regional interest override national priorities, but in case of Left parties the problem is created by their ideological commitments to a system which has lost ground in countries of its origin, but Indian Left remains committed to its outdated ideas like working extra hard to get benefits for the white collared workers employed in State sector and middle class in cities while ignoring the real poor living in unorganized sector in cities and landless farmers in rural areas.

More so they have virtually used their veto to stop the process of economic reforms. It is this veto which has prevented the Government from selling off loss making public sector undertakings, labour reforms or pension reforms. They have refused to see the writing on the wall that no country can afford to allow the pension payments to get very close to the total salary bill. They have also been insisting that rate of interest to be paid on Provident fund account be maintained at levels which have no link with the interest earned by citizens from normal channels like banks. The proposals like allowing investment of funds collected in such schemes in private sector to earn more have been put on hold under pressure of Left leaders. Same is true in case of labour reforms.

The Left has refused to see that the country economy has started growing by eight to nine per cent and be counted among the countries which have highest growth rate and are expected to become major players in world economy because of reforms. This process could have been given a further push but the Government has been overtaken by a come induced by Left leader. This veto has not only been limited to economic front but has also made us Vunerable in our dealings with foreign countries. For instance the left leaders would like us to support Iran which provided safe heaven to Pakistan Air Force during 1971 war and gave them critical supplies and to dump Israel which has been providing us tactical support by helping in the process of modernization of our security forces. The supply of missiles, unmanned aircraft and other critical equipment has made our defenses strong. For instance if left to the communist they would like us to stop sending. Israel satellites into space which help us to earn lot of money because of their concern for Arab friends who despite support given to them on issue of Palestine support Pakistan in meetings of Islamic countries by condemning India on Kashmir issue.

While talking about their strong objection to Indo-US treaty for use of nuclear energy for civilian purposes, one can not help but point out that flag carriers or home of left regime in the past that is Russia and China are a part of Nuclear Supply group which is responsible for isolating India on the nuclear front by denying us the technology as well as heavy water or uranium necessary to keep our nuclear power plants running. Both these countries have told us that unless treaty is finalized and India signs agreements with IAEA and Nuclear supply group no help is possible.

But these considerations carry no weight with Left Leaders most of whom have never fought a direct election and live in ivory towers of their own. In this context whispers heard in some quarters are that time has come when two national parties should seriously think about joining hands to carry this nation forward instead of allowing themselves to be blackmailed by marginal players. It will not be easy but one seriously hopes that at some stage either political sense will prevail for such a combination or people will get fed up with the coalition politics and give working majority to one of the large national parties. As otherwise the progress of the country will be in serious danger.