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Journalism of Courage
PUNE, December 21: Describing the two-year-old United Front government as a "successful experiment of coalition politics", Prime Minister I K Gujral today underlined the need for converting the "political reality of coalition politics into coalition culture".
Addressing a meeting of the workers of Janata Dal, Rashtra Seva Dal, Hind Mazdoor Sabha and Samajwadi Mahila Sabha at Bal Gandharva Rangmandir here this morning, Gujral, expressed his views on the inevitability of the coalition politics in the present political situation. He asserted that single party rule in the country had come to an end and coalition was expected to dominate political scenario because of variety in the aspirations of people living in different parts of the nation.
Without mentioning the BJP, Gujral said the party which was against coalition few years back, was now seen entering into coalition with various political parties. "Coalition is unavoidable," he said, adding that not a single political party was denying the inevitability of coalition politics.
Gujral stated that coalition culture could be built only by rising above power politics, sincerity and commitment to the programme. He said the UF government had successfully protected the nation’s unity and democracy through collective responsibility. "All the cabinet decisions were unanimous and there was no place for dispute," said Gujral and added that the UF government had successfully consolidated the concept of coalition politics through consensus. "To build coalition culture is the biggest challenge before the country," Gujral opined, adding that consensus and coalition were two sides of the same coin.
Stating that he had fulfilled his promise to provide transparent government, the Prime Minister pointed out that there was not a single charge of corruption against any of his cabinet colleague. "Nobody can say that he obtained a license by offering Rs five crore to the Prime Minister," he challenged. Gujral said he never misused his position despite pressure from some quarters. "I enjoy the trust of all the Chief Ministers in the country," he said, and added that his government had not taken any decision against those chief ministers, with whom UF had political differences. "I will always respect voters’ verdict and will never sabotage it," he declared.
Referring to the Congress’ demand to drop the DMK ministers, Gujral said he flatly turned it down because he did not want to break the country. "All the political parties have their history and DMK also has its own. DMK, had made demands for a separate nation in the past. Now the party has come into the mainstream. By dropping the DMK ministers what would I have done? Am I breaking the country or strengthening it?"
