Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Congress errs, BJP gains) that was published in Newsband


Congress errs, BJP gainsThe 2G spectrum allocation controversy is become a big issue. UPA government is put in an embarrassing situation. The ruling Congress is unable to control its coalition partners since it has its own internal differences. Its members are washing their dirty linen in public. The accusing finger is being pointed to Pranab Mukherjee's predecessor P Chidambaram who could have revoked the first-come, first-served 2G licensing policy and introduced auctioning.
BJP has taken full advantage of this situation. It was just waiting for UPA to make one mistake. It is now condemning the UPA's top brass, the finance minister and even the prime minister. The UPA is trying to undo the damage that is already done. The prime minister has expressed full faith in Chidambaram, while Mukherjee has described him as a 'valued colleague'. But it is too late. The situation is gone out of control and BJP is trying to gain as much as possible by this one flaw that Congress has made.
As far as UPA is concerned there is a difference of opinion within the cabinet. This could be detrimental to government functioning. It is become clear to BJP that UPA just can't manage its own house and this is a golden opportunity for BJP to dominate over UPA. BJP naturally has its eyes focused on the next poll. UPA is trying its best to project a united, cohesive face and get rid of their embattled and defensive appearance before the polls. The Congress party particularly has realized that this is not the right time for its members to take potshots at each other. Its members have realized that it is very necessary to place the interest of the government above their personal interests. Indian voters are looking at UPA suspiciously since it is accused of not taking any step in controlling the corruption that is prevailing within all ranks of government functionaries.
Mukherjee's letter has only added more fuel to the fire. Now they have to decide fast whether to go the auction or the first-come, first-served route. The debate is going on. It is left to be seen as to what will be the outcome of this debate. But Congress has learnt a lesson that it should never wash its dirty linens in public since it can not only weaken them but strengthen the opposition which is always on the look out for such opportunity which can enable them to score over their adversary.

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