[Assam] [assam] India's Government Optimistic at Third Anniversary: But Voters Are Not

[bhuban.baruah]

New York Times (May 23, 2012)

India’s Government Optimistic at Third Anniversary, But Voters Are Not
By HARI KUMAR

B Mathur/Reuters
 From left: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minsiter Manmohan 
Singh and Sonia Gandhi, Congress party president,  hold up copies of 
the report released on the government’s completion of three years in 
office, in New Delhi May 22, 2012.
The United Progressive Alliance on Tuesday night, in New Delhi, hailed 
its achievements in reducing poverty and increasing security as it 
marked its third year of its second term as the governing coalition of 
India, even as recent polls show the Congress Party-led government is 
losing favor with the public.

At a gathering of Congress Party and coalition officials, Prime 
Minister Manmohan Singh listed the government’s successes, including a 
decline in poverty and improved agriculture production. But he 
acknowledged citizens’ dissatisfaction by saying, “I will be the first 
to say we need to do better. But let no one doubt that we have achieved 
much.”

The government is fast losing popularity among voters, mainly because 
of allegations of widespread corruption, delays in passing key 
legislation to combat corruption and the deteriorating economy. The 
Congress Party has also lost key regional elections recently.

Opinion surveys conducted by local news agencies over the past few 
months have come to the same conclusion: that the ruling coalition is 
losing ground to the opposition coalition, which is headed by the 
Bharatiya Janata Party.

“We know there is public frustration and anger on the issue of 
corruption,” Mr. Singh said. “Legislation is before Parliament to 
establish a lokpal [anti-corruption ombudsman], ensure time-bound 
delivery of public goods and services and judicial accountability.”

The government is facing increasing criticism from opposition parties 
about its inaction in checking inflation and passing key economic 
reforms, as economic growth is slowing and the value of the rupee is 
weakening, along with the country’s stock markets and foreign direct 
investment.

“Our political opposition speaks loudly, is aggressive and levels 
irresponsible allegations,” said Sonia Gandhi, head of the Congress 
Party. “But we always maintain dignity and decency.”

Prakash Javadekar, a Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman, took issue with 
Mrs. Gandhi’s remarks, saying: “This statement in itself is 
irresponsible. The hallmark of three years of UPA is inflation, 
corruption and indecision,” referring to the governing coalition. “They 
have ruined the growth story of the country and betrayed the common 
man.”