Spotlight
New Delhi, 15 June 2019
MODI’S TSUNAMI-2
TIME TO WAKE UP ON DEFENCE
By PK Vasudeva
Certainly,
the election results are a Tsunami-2 for Modi, bettering his 2014 performance. Riding
on a massive saffron surge sweeping through most parts of India, the BJP-led
NDA Government became the only non-Congress one to return to power in India’s political
history.
Repeating
its near improbable feat of landslide victory in North, East and West, the NDA
with a vote share of nearly 50% surpassed its last Lok Sabha elections tally of
336 to achieve a super-sized number of 354, out of the total of 542 seats with
the BJP’s triple ton of winning 303 seats. The Congress with 52 seats did not
make 10% of the Lok Sabha strength of 543 (55), hence it was denied the status
of Leader of Opposition (LOP) for the second time.
Undoubtedly,
Modi’s emphasis on national security post the Balakot surgical strikes in
February strengthened his image as a strong and decisive leader
and defeated the Opposition's efforts to focus on economic and social issues
with NaMo riding to victory on the crest of nationalism and national security.
Indeed,
he used the
terrorist attack in Pulwama by “enemy” Pakistan and Balakot as part of his
‘Hindutva-Security’ platform. Which helped build his macho image and a
statesman who talked as an equal with world leaders like US President Donald
Trump, Russia’s Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
However, his Government
has not been able to do much on national security and defence related issues
during his previous five years term. The modernisation of its defence forces
suffered because of poor allocation of defence budget ---- only 1.44% of the GDP,
the least since 1962.
Clearly, this is
detrimental to armed forces capabilities in case of twin offensive from either
of the two hostile neighbours. It is high time
that the BJP-led NDA Government concentrates on modernisation of its defence
forces and allocates sufficient funds during the next five years to make its
Armed Forces and deterrents strong.
The BJP manifesto had declared that it
would “speed up the purchases of outstanding defence related equipment and
weapons, and equip the armed forces with modern equipment to strengthen the
strike capability of the armed forces”. In reality this does not match its
rhetoric on the acquisition of defence equipment, because of poor allocation of
defence funds.
Nonetheless, the BJP’s clear and
unambiguous stand on issues of nationalism and internal security, reflected in
the Policy of “Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism and Extremism” and “giving a
free hand to security forces in combating terrorism” did work.
As expected, the Party has repeatedly
reiterated its resolve to abrogate Article 370, which gives Jammu and Kashmir autonomous
status and annul Article 35A which the BJP and its Government finds
discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of the Valley. One
hopes this is implemented sooner than later to prove that the Administration means
business.
“We believe that Article 35A is an
obstacle in the development of the State. We will take all steps to ensure a
safe and peaceful environment for all residents of the State. We will make all
efforts to ensure the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits. We will provide
financial assistance for the resettlement of refugees from West Pakistan,
Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) and Chhamb,” promises the BJP manifesto.
On another critical issue --- restructuring
higher defence management --- the Congress manifesto talks of establishing the
office of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as a single advisor to the Government on
defence related issues and a member of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
But the BJP manifesto is silent on this
important issue. There is a definite requirement of CDS as recommended by
earlier high-powered committees --- Subrahmanyam Committee 2001, Group of
Ministers Committee 2002 and Naresh Chandra Committee Task Force 2011.
Besides, there is a dire need of integrating
Ministry of Defence with the three Armed Forces Headquarters by posting
officers in the Ministry for better coordination, fast acquisition of weapons
and equipment and infusing efficiency in the system.
Importantly, the Modi government should be
magnanimous in honouring the good points of the Congress manifesto like the
appointment of CDS and implementing reforms in the defence forces.
On the economic front India has been
rated as the fastest growing economy of the world by the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) and the World Bank has ranked it the 6th largest economy
beating France. India is now likely to beat Britain in the next fiscal by
emerging as the 5th largest economy of the world.
Today needs to work post haste to overcome the critical
economic situation and its failures in several economic sectors: High
unemployment level, the agricultural crisis and the impacts of sudden
demonetisation and poor implementation of GST.
Hopefully, the Modi Government will create a
healthy environment for accepting positive suggestions of Opposition Parties. All
Parties must rise above demeaning their rivals, should forget the electoral
rancor and curb abusive language against each other as all Indian have one aim:
Growth of country. ---- INFA
(Copyright,
India News & Feature Alliance)
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