BY comparing about 10 years (2014-24) of the Modi Government with the preceding decade (2004-24) of the UPA, the White Paper tabled in Parliament details how India turned from a ‘fragile five’ economy to the fifth-largest economy in the world. Apart from giving a macroeconomic snapshot of the economic transformation brought about by the Modi Government, the document makes a major point in statecraft and the model of governance.
The White Paper is an authentic indictment of the previous Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, a man once hailed as ‘the father of economic reforms’ in India and how the country lost economic momentum during his decade-long rule because his Government had many power centres.
The document shows a mirror to the economist-turned-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the fiscal mismanagement and corruption done during his 10-year UPA regime due to political interference from power centres within the then ruling alliance. It adds weight to the BJP’s argument that there should be only one centre of power like the Modi Government and not two like in the Manmohan Singh regime, with the political clout vested in UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
The paper also underscores the downsides of a minority government pulled from all sides by alliance partners with contrary agendas. The document is a proof that Bharat can only be run with a strong majority government at the centre as alliances stitched with regional parties cannot deliver on the economic as well as administrative front. The corruption and fiscal profligacy during the Manmohan Singh regime was a fallout of the Government that was pulled from all directions due to political interference with the basic aim being the survival of the Government, not economic progress.
Albeit authentic and full of facts, the White Paper is also political as it was tabled on the eve of the 2024 General Elections. The document provides readymade ammunition to the NDA candidates to fire at their rivals during the forthcoming elections with the promise of a developed India by 2047 using ‘Modinomics.’
While the Opposition parties are scurrying for answers, PM Modi has proved to be a stateman who has the vision of the civilisational India, and the political will to walk the talk, even if it takes tough, sometimes, unpalatable decisions.
In the past decade, PM Modi has been successful in reviving the Indian civilisational past with Ram Temple in Ayodhya being the prime example. He has also simultaneously delivered on the future by taking the Indian economy on a rapid growth trajectory while standing resolute on internal and external security issues.
The While Paper is not merely a record of economic history, it reflects the resolve of the Modi Government to move ahead against any odd, set ambitious goals and achieve them as per schedule. The document is also a prescription for future governments on how political interference without accountability plays havoc with governance and why a strong political leader is needed to run India. PM Modi has already announced that in his third term, his Government will take bold decisions. He is now not only aiming to make India a developed nation by 2047, but also laying the foundation of India for the next 1,000 years.
