Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today attacked the Opposition for obstructing growth through “a structured and organised propaganda” and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been the worst victim of ideological intolerance since 2002.
This is being seen as a counter-attack by the government, which has been accused of fanning intolerance in the country in the light of incidents such as the Dadri killing and ban on beef.
In a blog, “Ease of Doing Business”, on his Facebook page, Jaitley who had earlier termed the return of awards by writers in protest against rising intolerance “manufactured dissent” said while the Modi-led government was trying to accelerate India’s growth, there were many who had never intellectually accepted the idea of the BJP being in power.
“This obviously includes the Congress, many Left thinkers and activists. Over decades they have practised ideological intolerance towards BJP. Since 2002, the Prime Minister himself has been the worst victim of ideological intolerance,” Jaitley said.
As the debate over intolerance is getting louder by the day, even drawing comments from global ratings agencies such as Moody’s, the government’s narrative is now moving to economic growth and its obstruction being caused by a vitiated environment.
Attacking the Opposition, Jaitley said their strategy was twofold. “First, obstruct Parliament and do not permit reforms, which will bring credit to Modi Government. Second, create, by structured and organised propaganda, an environment that there is a social strife in India. They wish to project India as an intolerant society. The truth is otherwise.” The BJP has also been accused of using obstruction and stalling tactics in Parliament when the UPA government was in power, which led to the GST, insurance and other important legislations being held up.
The government launched a counter-attack on its critics, including the Opposition, by alleging they were the ones indulging in intolerance. “Perpetrators of this propaganda never allowed alternative viewpoints to grow either in universities, academic institutions or cultural bodies that they have controlled. Their intolerance extends to not accepting an alternative ideological pole,” Jaitley alleged.
The Finance Minister also warned of obstruction of growth and asked the supporters of the government to show restraint. “It is, therefore, incumbent upon every well-wisher of India and the present government to make sure that no action or statement of his provides a tool in the hands of those who want to obstruct India’s growth story. The obstructers have a simple plan — if they can’t fight politically, they fight with hostile propaganda.” On the economic front, Jaitley talked of the boost to India’s rankings in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business and hinted at some new reforms.
Claiming more transparency in the government, the Finance Minister said: “Investors no longer queue up before the Mantralayas in Delhi lobbying for policy changes or approvals.” Jaitley noted that the states had also altered their work culture, which had led to competitive federalism for investments. Jaitley said the Gujarat model of Global Investors Meet had been replicated in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and in Punjab. Rajasthan would woo global investors this month. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been reaching out to investors globally.
Jaitley said having opened most sectors for foreign direct investment, time had come to examine whether some of the conditionalities on which FDI investment is permitted had become anachronic.
This is being seen as a counter-attack by the government, which has been accused of fanning intolerance in the country in the light of incidents such as the Dadri killing and ban on beef.
In a blog, “Ease of Doing Business”, on his Facebook page, Jaitley who had earlier termed the return of awards by writers in protest against rising intolerance “manufactured dissent” said while the Modi-led government was trying to accelerate India’s growth, there were many who had never intellectually accepted the idea of the BJP being in power.
“This obviously includes the Congress, many Left thinkers and activists. Over decades they have practised ideological intolerance towards BJP. Since 2002, the Prime Minister himself has been the worst victim of ideological intolerance,” Jaitley said.
As the debate over intolerance is getting louder by the day, even drawing comments from global ratings agencies such as Moody’s, the government’s narrative is now moving to economic growth and its obstruction being caused by a vitiated environment.
Attacking the Opposition, Jaitley said their strategy was twofold. “First, obstruct Parliament and do not permit reforms, which will bring credit to Modi Government. Second, create, by structured and organised propaganda, an environment that there is a social strife in India. They wish to project India as an intolerant society. The truth is otherwise.” The BJP has also been accused of using obstruction and stalling tactics in Parliament when the UPA government was in power, which led to the GST, insurance and other important legislations being held up.
The government launched a counter-attack on its critics, including the Opposition, by alleging they were the ones indulging in intolerance. “Perpetrators of this propaganda never allowed alternative viewpoints to grow either in universities, academic institutions or cultural bodies that they have controlled. Their intolerance extends to not accepting an alternative ideological pole,” Jaitley alleged.
The Finance Minister also warned of obstruction of growth and asked the supporters of the government to show restraint. “It is, therefore, incumbent upon every well-wisher of India and the present government to make sure that no action or statement of his provides a tool in the hands of those who want to obstruct India’s growth story. The obstructers have a simple plan — if they can’t fight politically, they fight with hostile propaganda.” On the economic front, Jaitley talked of the boost to India’s rankings in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business and hinted at some new reforms.
Claiming more transparency in the government, the Finance Minister said: “Investors no longer queue up before the Mantralayas in Delhi lobbying for policy changes or approvals.” Jaitley noted that the states had also altered their work culture, which had led to competitive federalism for investments. Jaitley said the Gujarat model of Global Investors Meet had been replicated in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and in Punjab. Rajasthan would woo global investors this month. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been reaching out to investors globally.
Jaitley said having opened most sectors for foreign direct investment, time had come to examine whether some of the conditionalities on which FDI investment is permitted had become anachronic.
