Salt in the wounds

If it had displayed a greater sense of purpose in controlling the situation when it had first threatened to get out of control at least three months ago, it may not have had to embark upon the firefighting exercises thatit is now engaged in. The fact is that the Vajpayee government preferred to look skyward when explaining the present price scenario. Even as late as Sunday, Prime Minister Vajpayee in his quaint and poetic way, blamed the asmani (nature) rather than the sultani (government) for spiralling prices. He also strongly denied that the situation was caused because of a nexus between the BJP and the trader. While it is true that untimely rains did affect the vegetable and lentil harvests this time, the ensuing shortfall in output was certainly not commensurate with the percentage rise in the price of these commodities. Clearly, some vested interests have exploited the uncertain agricultural outlook for their own benefit and it is entirely logical for the ordinary citizen to presume that these elements had the tacit support of the ruling party. Therefore it is not enough for the Prime Minister to merely dismiss the alleged nexus between the BJP and the traders’ lobby. If he is serious about retrieving the situationfor his government, he must put his money where his mouth is and crack down heavily on the various caucuses that have thrived on the present uncertainty in the vegetable and grocery markets.

There may even be truth in the BJP’s accusation that its political enemies are out to defame its government by spreading false rumours and creating panic among the people. But rumours can never spread in situations where people have faith in their political and administrative rulers. But that, alas, is not the case. There is in fact a severe crisis of confidence in the ruling party’s ability to govern. A crisis that is enhanced every time an oil trader found guilty of adulteration walks free, every time the Centre threatens to use the National Securities Act against hoarders and doesn’t, every time the Centre chooses to pass the buck rather than address itself to the problem at hand. The people need to get immediate redressal from this maddening spiral of high prices and disappearing supplies through swift and effectiveaction. Anything less will be tantamount to rubbing more salt into their wounds.