RSS targets BJP pro-liberalisation move

NEW DELHI, AUG 21: Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh RSS, has criticised some of the recent appoi...

NEW DELHI, AUG 21: Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh RSS, has criticised some of the recent appointments made by the BJP-led Governments, saying they were pro-liberalization.8217;

Heading the list of their targets was Mohan Guruswamy, a prominent member of the BJP8217;s media cell. A Harvard-educated management consultant, he has been appointed as economic advisor to Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha.

The SJM has also come down heavily on the appointments of Vijay Kelkar as the Finance Secretary, N K Singh as secretary in the Prime Minister8217;s Office and Montek Singh Ahluwalia8217;s transfer to the Planning Commission as one of its members.

8220;They are all strong and unabashed votaries of liberalisation,8221; remarked a senior SJM leader, adding, 8220;By appointing them to such important posts, the Government has clearly spelt out its priorities. It8217;s quite obvious that, for all its tall proclamations, the Government does not want to give impetus to swadeshi.8221;

What was shocking for the SJM, he said, was the transfer of Ahluwalia and Singh to such prized postings. 8220;It is widely believed that, as the Finance and Revenue Secretaries of the Union Government, they were responsible for penning this year8217;s budget, which left the ruling coalition red-faced on so many fronts. Instead of penalising them, the Government has actually rewarded them,8221; he alleged.

In a strong, hard-hitting editorial in the latest edition of its official mouthpiece Swadeshi Patrika, the SJM has lashed out at Guruswamy8217;s appointment. 8220;The man who unambiguously advocates heavy dependence on foreign capital,8221; it says, 8220;because it is cheap and tries to play down the role of Indian capital in pursuit of economic development, will now give advice to the Finance Minister in the implementation of the swadeshi agenda. This is the height of irony.8221;

The editorial goes on to question his background. 8220;In Indian polity, the age of principle and commitment seems to have gone and the space is being taken over by unprincipled political mavericks. One can easily locate many important figures in this Government who started off their political journey from completely opposite ideological pole, and are now in possession of important positions in the Government.8221;