NEW DELHI: Chandra Shekhar the senior leader of ruling Janata Dal has criticised the proposal for a national government as “ill thought of” and “half baked.”

“As it is, the whole idea seems to be ill thought of and a half-baked offensive of certain individuals for the sake of political expediency,” he said in an article published in a political fortnightly “young Indian”,

He said national government was an emergency provision. If it was to be constituted the normal functioning of the party system, which was a vital part of parliamentary democracy was to be suspended.

“If the party system is to be kept in abeyance, even for a limited period, there should be solid reasons for it. It should not be presumed that all political parties will agree to suspend their activities,” he added.

While returning ‘rom his trip to Kuala Lumpur Indian minister VP Singh had recently expressed his willingness to accept a national government including all national parties.

‘Singh’s surprise announcement was seen by many observers here as move to preempt his detractors possible attempt at finding an alternative political leadership.

He said a national government could be thought of only when there was a national crisis.

One had yet to know what was the crisis that the nation was facing for which such a government was an imperative. One had to know the seriousness of the challenges and whether they could be met by cohesive efforts and united action, Mr. Chandra Shekhar said.

He said the country was facing many serious problems which deserved immediate attention and a bold initiative to solve them. Any attempt to postpone these issues and find excuses would not help.

Chandra Shekhar also alleged that a section of the media was being misused for political manipulations.

Shekhar was strongly opposed to VP Singh’s election to the prime ministerial post late last year.

A veteran of Indian politics Chandra Shekhar had earned the title of “young turk” during seventies after he quit Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s congress party and sided with Jayaprakash Narayan’s nationwide popular movement for her removal.

 

Article extracted from this publication >> June 22, 1990