I am beginning believe the future of India is upbeat. There is hope yet for my homeland. Politicians are beginning to question the sense of polarism in politics. Abandon the optimism and let me explain. Based on my limited experience, the past few Indian governments in power have always acknowledged that globalisation and privatisation is necessary.
Of the political parties that have come to power, the Indian National Congress and the BJP have been the most influential. Both parties hold this view. Both are also divided at least as far as religion is concerned. I can’t remember if ever they managed to form a coalition together, and they won’t ever because of this reason. BJP has always played into the hands of the influential hindu right-wing parties while Congress has tried to stay secular. Or atleast they have had us believe that they would never align with political ideology that would attempt to dismantle the secular structure of the country.
Fortunately, both parties have been like-minded as far as going forward with reforms of the public sector are concerned. What has held them back is the undue importance and respect demanded by the other parties representing minority interests in the goverment (and opposition).
Sharad Pawar presents this theory and urges abandoning needless polarisation in politics. He also urges that India should re-prioritize Agriculture over Industry and explains why. His reasoning does make some sense. As someone who would have first knowledge of the agriculturally-based constituencies of Maharashtra I trust him if he were to say that Farmers prefer development of infrastructure over subsidies for Agriculture. He believes that the greatest waste of potential lies here, for it is an extremely fundamental sector. He also has a few numbers that seem to back up his thoughts.
For a brief moment, I saw Sharad Pawar in an unusual light. In my so many years in India, I never had the opportunity to believe that he would think and argue logically. Then again, his party Nationalist Congress Party isn’t in power either. Politicians have a knack of not making sense when they get into power.
[2] An interview with Indian Express.
[3] The post on Vantage Point that I followed to the Interview