Monday, November 2, 2015

Modi worst victim of intolerance since 2002, says Jaitley

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group





Modi worst victim of intolerance since 2002, says Jaitley
Blasts Congress- Left thinks again

Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Nov. 1
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched a blistering attack on the Congress and Left thinkers saying the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi himself has been the worst victim of ideological intolerance since 2002.  These forces are practising "ideological intolerance" towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In a hard-hitting Facebook post today, Jaitley said these forces are trying to project India as an intolerant society through structured and organised propaganda. As part of their twin strategy, they obstruct parliament to derail the reform agenda and do not permit reforms which will bring credit to Modi Government. Secondly, create, by structured and organised propaganda, an environment that there is a social strife in India. They wish to project India as an intolerant society."

The truth is otherwise, Mr Jaitley said, adding the perpetrators of this propaganda had never allowed alternative viewpoints to grow in either universities, academic institutions or cultural bodies which they controlled. "Their intolerance extends to not accepting an alternative ideological pole."

Jaitley listed major achievements of the Modi government during the last 18 months like the World Bank has upped India’s ranking in the Ease of Doing Business by twelve positions and the World Economic Forum similarly upgrading India.  “It marks the reversal of an adverse trend.  Quicker decision making, faster policy changes, eliminating corruption at the top and smoother clearances have played a significant role.  The FIPB clearances and the environmental approvals are being routinely granted.  Investors no longer queue up before the Mantralayas in Delhi lobbying for policy changes or approvals.” 

Jaitley also reminded the role played by Narendra Modi during his days in Gujrat as Chief Minister saying that “The Gujarat model of Global Investors Meet has been replicated in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and in Punjab.  Rajasthan, this month, would be wooing global investors.  Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been reaching out to investors globally.  Three States with a significant tribal population – Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha, figure in the top six States in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business rankings.  The work culture is changing in most States.” 

Mr Jaitley also appealed to "every well-wisher of India and the present government" not to make statements that could vitiate the atmosphere and obstruct growth.

"While the government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is trying to accelerate India's growth, there are many who have never intellectually accepted the idea of the BJP being in power.”This was Jaitley’s third blog on the issue in the recent past and gives the clear indication that the BJP and the Modi government would not yield to such pressures. Its also an indication of hardening of positions.