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BJP economic resolution not to thrash govt

Aditi Phadnis & Ajay Singh

Ignoring the criticism within the party's rank and file against the Union Budget, the BJP leadership will extend full support to the government's economic policies at the party's national executive meeting in Goa beginning on April 12.

The party's anger at the government's economic policies was encapsulated in the first draft of the economic resolution prepared by the economic affairs cell. The draft said the policies of the Union government and the 2002-03 budget had alienated the base of the party.

The original draft wanted a rollback of all the unnecessary price hikes, including that of kerosene. It had suggested that sops for housing be offered to win back the middle class, the party's traditional vote bank. The economic cell also suggested that some kind of social security scheme be announced by the finance minister, especially for professionals.

The executive also said for effective utilisation of the public distribution system, the issue price of foodgrains should be lowered to increase the offtake.

However, the response of leaders like Jana Krishnamurthy was that the party's economic resolution could only talk about what the finance minister had done, not what he should do.

On Wednesday evening, a toned-down version of the draft was discussed by the convener of the economic cell, Jagadish Shettigar, and Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha. It was decided at the meeting that the issue of Section 88 and a special interest rate scheme for old people could be two issues that the finance minister could be asked to reconsider.

However, the tone of the economic resolution should be: under trying economic circumstances, the finance minister presented the best possible Budget.

The party leadership is still expecting the government to come out with schemes that will widen the social security net to neutralise the adverse impact of the budget and certain economic policies to pacify the middle class.

"This does not mean drastic diversion from the government's stated policies," said an office-bearer of the BJP's economic cell.

Party leaders say since the resolution is still to be vetted by Home Minister L K Advani and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the proposal for raising the interest rate on deposits of the elderly could also be considered.

However, sources in the party say the three-day national executive meeting will not be allowed to turn into a budget-bashing exercise. Though the meeting, to be attended by delegates from all over the country, is likely to evoke strong reactions on the Budget, the party leadership is going to restrict the criticism to the minimum.

A section of BJP leaders has been holding the Centre's economic policies responsible for the party's poll reverses recently. However, top party leaders, including party president Jena Krishnamurthy, have discounted this perception as absurd.

The executive will take up resolutions on the political scenario and the Union Budget for consideration. Party sources admit that the mood of the conclave will be depressed as this will be the first party-level meeting after the BJP's drubbing in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttaranchal Assembly elections and Delhi municipal polls.

"But, we will make an effort to convince our delegates about the positive elements in the Budget," said a member of the party's economic think-tank. "There will be no blame-games," he said.

Those formulating the party's economic resolution say the document will attempt at accommodating the views of delegates after a detailed discussion in the meeting.

"But, the document will not be a critique of the National Democratic Alliance's economic policies," they said, adding that the executive would dispel misgivings in the middle-class about the Budget.

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