The Left Parties withdraw support from UPA Government in India.
Madhavi Bhasin
July 08, 2008
The Congress led United Progressive Alliance has been reduced to a minority government after the Left Parties withdrew support on 8th July. The Indo-U.S. Civilian Nuclear Agreement had been a bone of contention between the Left Parties and other constituents of the UPA alliance, primarily the Congress Party. The 2004 General Elections in India had witnessed the best performance of the Left Parties, winning a total of 64 seats in the National Parliament. The withdrawal of support marks the end of a rare era where the Left Parties exercised so much influence over the national policies by working as a constituent of the coalition government at the Center.
The withdrawal of support is a surprise for none and on the contrary many would feel relieved that the Left Parties finally called off the alliance. Ever since the UPA coalition assumed office economic reforms and progressive policies have been obstructed by the Left Parties. From urging to an end to the divestment of loss-making Public Sector Units to opposing the entry of Foreign Direct Investment in the retail sector; from opposing hike in fuel prices despite rise in global prices to criticizing strategic partnerships of India as a compromise of national sovereignty, the Left Parties have threatened the stability of the UPA Government too often. The Left Parties had been given an opportunity to emerge as a renewed force in national politics during the 2004 elections. But the subsequent policies pursued by the Left have demonstrated that communist ideology rather than national interest continues to dictate its decisions. If the teachings of Karl Marx are to find relevance anywhere in the world today, the Left Parties of India would emerge as a clear winner, defeating China by a comfortable margin.
The Congress Party appears to have salvaged the Government by receiving support from the Samajvadi Party and possibility of support from some other quarters. The Government hopes to face the trust motion during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament to be convened on 11th August. Whatever fate awaits the UPA Government of India the Left Parties have surely missed the bus. Moreover by declaring to withdraw support when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is attending the G-8 in Japan demonstrates the political naiveté of the Left Parties. In order to realize the full implications of their current policies the Left Parties would perhaps have to wait for the results of next General Elections, when ever it takes place.
The withdrawal of support is a surprise for none and on the contrary many would feel relieved that the Left Parties finally called off the alliance. Ever since the UPA coalition assumed office economic reforms and progressive policies have been obstructed by the Left Parties. From urging to an end to the divestment of loss-making Public Sector Units to opposing the entry of Foreign Direct Investment in the retail sector; from opposing hike in fuel prices despite rise in global prices to criticizing strategic partnerships of India as a compromise of national sovereignty, the Left Parties have threatened the stability of the UPA Government too often. The Left Parties had been given an opportunity to emerge as a renewed force in national politics during the 2004 elections. But the subsequent policies pursued by the Left have demonstrated that communist ideology rather than national interest continues to dictate its decisions. If the teachings of Karl Marx are to find relevance anywhere in the world today, the Left Parties of India would emerge as a clear winner, defeating China by a comfortable margin.
The Congress Party appears to have salvaged the Government by receiving support from the Samajvadi Party and possibility of support from some other quarters. The Government hopes to face the trust motion during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament to be convened on 11th August. Whatever fate awaits the UPA Government of India the Left Parties have surely missed the bus. Moreover by declaring to withdraw support when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is attending the G-8 in Japan demonstrates the political naiveté of the Left Parties. In order to realize the full implications of their current policies the Left Parties would perhaps have to wait for the results of next General Elections, when ever it takes place.