NEW DELHI: Promising to give a “clean and efficient” government by rooting out corruption, the five party National Front com mitted itself to track down the kickback funds in Bofors and other deals stashed away in foreign banks and punish the guilty, reports PI.
In its election manifesto calling for defeating the Congress() government, at present ruling at the Centre, to “save the nation,” the Front, an alliance of Janata Dal, Telegu Desam, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Assom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Congress(S), said it would eliminate corruption by dis mantling the nexus between politicians vested interests.
The year old front promised to revitalize parliamentary institutions, making them accountable to people. The Front has also promised independence of judiciary and institutions like the controller and auditor general and the election commission, and comprehensive electoral reforms to curb money and muscle power.
The manifesto, which was finalized at a meeting of the presidium of the Front, declared its resolve to restore and extend the democratic rights of the people, practice true federalism, ensure equality and justice to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and special attention to minorities — both religious and ethnic.
The meeting was attended by Front chairman, N. T. Nama Rao (Telugu Desam), convenor, V. P. Singh, Devi LAL. (both Janata Dal), Karunanidhi DMK P. K. Mahanta ), (AGP) and K. P. Unnikprishnan.
Rao and V. P. Singh said the Front was committed to restoring the dignity of the nation and the people and to throw out the “corrupt and shameless” Congress (1) government.
Recalling that the Rajiv Gandhi government came to power on a sympathy wave and promised to “clean government,” the document said the government “has scaled new heights in corruption and inefficiency.”
It also described the Congress (1) regime as an “irresolute government,” unable to resolve conflicts and maintain even minimal law and order, spiraling prices and manmade scarcities. A currency shrinking in value and a mounting load of foreign debt.
The Front committed itself to promoting a genuine devolution and decentralization of powers, functions and resources to Pan chayati Raj (village level self-government) institutions based on national consensus and replace the “dis credited attempts” made by the government to bypass the states through legislative measures in the name of decentralization.
It would also provide a legal guarantee to ensure regular elections to Pan chayati Raj institutions.
Promising an “open government” the Manifesto declared that one of the fore most tasks of the Front government would be to “Liberate” the electronic media and convert television and All India Radio into autonomous corporations.
It also pledged to eliminate “arm twisting” practices relating to the press and remove impediments to the newspaper economy by reducing excise duty on newsprint and removing restrictions on import of newsprint.
By amending the Constitution and Official Secrets Act the Front government would ensure the citizens’ right to information.
Calling for settling the Babri Masjid-Ramjanambhoomi issue through discussions based on mutual understanding, the manifesto said the Front felt that the Babri Masjtd should not be demolished, but all the same the Hindu sentiments to have a temple dedicated to Lord Rama should be respected. No precipitate action should be taken by any group pending such settlement or a decision by the court, it said.
It said solution to political problems in Punjab and Assam would be taken immediately and’ laws that violated civil liberties would be reviewed.
The Front promised to give special attention to en sure equal participation of Women in national reconstruction and evolve a major programmer of employment generation and asset creation to fulfill the essential minimum needs of the people.
“Right to work” will be included in the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.
Rural economy will be revitalized and the farmers assured of guaranteed remunerative prices for their produce, remission of debts, provision of cheap credit and removal of restrictions on the movement of farm produce, the Front promised.
The manifesto also promised minimum wages and social security to agricultural labor as also to all workers in the unorganized sector.
The National Front also pledged to achieve self-reliance in economy and follow policies that would free the country from “indiscriminate and highly expensive technologies and the humiliating burden of fast escalating foreign debt.” It said dependence on multinational corporations would be shed.
On foreign police, the five party combine said it would be based on the traditional concept of non-alignment and reject any manipulation from outside.
It said the national security had been “gravely endangered” by the Rajiv Gandhi government, making the country vulnerable.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 27, 1989
