Opinion February 17, 1985, Forty Years Ago: The Same Party

The Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, favoured the idea of the same party ruling at the Centre and in the states. Addressing a series of election meetings in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, he said close cooperation between the central and state governments was necessary to achieve optimum progress. He added the Congress (I) Government had received a massive mandate in the recent Lok Sabha polls and would take a number of steps to fulfil the promises made to the people. He severely criticised the opposition governments in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka for what he called “finding excuses for their poor performance.”

Chaos in J&K Assembly

records WERE SET in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly when three out of the nine questions taken up during question hour were deferred and the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address was moved and seconded by members other than those belonging to the ruling party. The House witnessed noisy scenes, exchange of abusive language and walkouts. Two walk-outs were staged by National Conference (Farooq) members and one by the Panthers Party president Bhim Singh.

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Opening Economy

The proposed liberalisation of imports with a view to exposing the Indian industry to foreign competition and curtailment of the present export subsidies have become issues of major controversy on the eve of the budget. The Finance Ministry seems to be in favour of both these measures but is facing stiff opposition from other ministries as well as some experts. The matter has been taken to the Prime Minister who seems to have ordered a detailed investigation into all aspects of the issue before a final decision is taken.