Time for UPA to dump left veto

The UPA has played its cards well. The pressure being built on it notwithstanding the alliance will run its full course. By presenting a vote catching budget it has ensured that now it is in a position where the periodic pressure built by the Left can be ignored. It can now face the Assembly polls for ten States with greater confidence and optimism. More importantly, it is all set to be free of the Left shackles.

by REPORTER@DAYAFTERINDIA.COM

The ground has been finally prepared for a battle for the ballot box, even though elections are not likely to take place in immediate future. With delimitation of constituencies yet to be completed, the poll at best can take place either by end of 2008 or in the first quarter of next year. So for all practical purposes elections will be on schedule and UPA Government will last its full term.

So where was the hurry for the Railways Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav and Finance Minister P. Chidambram to offer so many goodies for the voters. The reason is clear that the parties across the divide were getting aggressive and challenging the ruling front to either deliver or get ready to face the electorate. The attack was being launched not only by Left who in the guise of lending support to the Government from outside has been playing the role of a major opposition as well as revived Saffron brigade who under the leadership of L.K Advani was hoping to be in power again. They all had one issue to pick up the plight of farmers and the impact of rising prices on middle class.

Both issues have been answered by the UPA Government in its budget proposals. Mr Chidambram has won over the middle class by putting more money in their pocket by revising the tax regime to benefit all taxpayers across the spectrum. He not only has made taxpayers happy but also given a boost to economy by reducing duties and making consumer goods cheaper. After the budget presentation, opposition looked sheepish as if they have been robbed of their favorite toy.

The ruling party is all smiles as they can now face the coming elections for ten State Assemblies with more confidence. The poll for Lok Sabha may not be round the corner, but in case they have to face it they will be better prepared. The Left which in the past has been threatening the ruling coalition with immediate poll in case they go ahead with signing of nuclear deal has now changed gears and is suggesting that the Finance Minister has virtually announced the intention of the Government to seek fresh mandate, though he has not announced the poll date so far.

So one can say that in days to come the left parties sting as well as veto power will loose some of its shine as the nation heads towards a poll on schedule. It will also give an opportunity to the UPA Government to go ahead with its intention to sell some of the equity in its profit making public sector companies and thus raise resources to meet obligations like waiver of loans to farmers and larger outlay for social sectors. Another major policy on hold that is movement on Indo-U.S deal for use of nuclear energy for civilian purposes may also get a fresh push as the Government would be keen to complete its agenda before seeking a fresh mandate.

By now it should be clear to all that Left parties have almost exhausted their ammunition and any more pampering of them can only work against the national interest. The Left is not likely to change its stand even though it is also preventing India from signing such pacts with countries like Russia and France. The agreement is not U.S specific as being made out by left parties but a mechanism to end India’s isolation in the nuclear field which had created a regime which that prevented us either from getting technology or fissile material from these countries. India needs this badly as our nuclear plants are working far below their rated capacity because of shortage of Uranium or heavy water. This is also preventing us from setting up any new plants. The need for harnessing nuclear energy cannot be overemphasized as our needs for energy are growing at a rapid pace and traditional sources of power like hydro carbons are becoming more and more expensive as well as in short supply.

In such a situation our failure to build energy security by using all power sources to our advantage can create serious problems. At present share of nuclear power in generation of electricity in India is barely three per cent even though we were amongst the pioneers in this field. Ideology may be important for left parties, but for Indian people rapid development of country and energy security occupy a high priority. The Left parties while showing keenness for developing relations with Russia and China are just not prepared to learn any lessons from changes worked out by these countries in recent times to build strong economies.

The UPA Government has so far tried to carry the Left parties with them in order to avoid a split in the secular vote. A time has come to have a fresh look as Left is more keen to join third front which includes many who were part of NDA when BJP was in power. More so Congress will have to meet the Left challenge in States like West Bengal and Kerala, so a time for parting has come as desire to continue the uneasy link up between UPA and Left has become a victim of law of diminishing returns. The responsibility of keeping secular forces united is important, but no alliance can work in case one partner has decided to break it.