Lack of remorse

Lack of remorse

The Congress's recent "mega rally" in Delhi displayed a "chilling lack of any remorse" on the part of its leaders for the growing burdens of inflation, corruption and "neo-liberal economic reforms" imposed on the common man, the CPM says in its mouthpiece People's Democracy.

Criticising Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, who said at the rally the system needed to be changed to end corruption, the editorial says, "People were left guessing as to what these changes are and who will bring them about... It is the Congress party that is principally responsible for putting in place the current structure of the neo-liberal economy and reforms that have opened up hitherto unknown and inconceivable avenues for mega corruption..."

As the PM's speech at the rally centred around bringing down the subsidy bill and opening up the market to foreign capital to create more jobs, the editorial asks: "Are the subsidies for the poor the cause for the growing fiscal deficit?" It argues that the huge "subsidy" to the rich, by way of tax concessions to big corporate and high-income taxpayers, cost the exchequer Rs 5.28 lakh crore. This is the principal reason behind the growing fiscal deficit.

Obama onslaught

The editorial in the CPI mouthpiece, New Age, focuses on the re-election of US President Barack Obama and what it means for India: "There is nothing that the new Obama administration can offer to India. Actually, it will be on the path of grabbing whatever little we have, including a few thousand jobs that we have got due to outsourcing..."

The New Age argues that it was the Obama administration that forced the UPA government to allow FDI in multi-brand retail, "despite national outcry", and now it will renew its bid for further liberalisation of the economy.

... contd.

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