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| BJP to support govt on high economic growth, Women's Bill |
| Press Trust of India / New Delhi Jun 05, 2009, 13:19 IST |
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Main opposition BJP today said it will support the government on issues of national importance like right to food for the poor, high economic growth, internal security and the Women's Reservation Bill.
"On the issues that are in the national interest, BJP will strongly (stand) behind the government in the first 100 days," Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said in the Rajya Sabha.
Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address to Parliament, Jaitley said the areas in which the government would get support from the BJP include high economic growth, low inflation and the right to food security.
The party which got a drubbing in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, said the 'zero tolerance' phrase was coined by it and that the government would get its backing on securing the country. The BJP was also for one-rank-one pension for the armed forces, he said.
Jaitley said if the Opposition supported the government on Women's Reservation Bill, the "credibility of Indian polity" would be enhanced.
However, the newly-elected Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said there would be several areas where his party would "fiercely" oppose the government. In certain areas, it would "caution the government".
The President's address, which is the policy statement of the government, says that the ruling coalition will bring the women's reservation bill in the first 100 days.
The address also promises 'zero tolerance' towards terrorism, while management of economy to counter global downturn is also among the priority areas of the new government.
Jaitley, in his maiden speech as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said the opposition will discharge its duties keeping the national interest in mind.
"We will support good things, caution the government where there is a pitfall, and if the government goes astray, we will fiercely oppose it," he said.
The BJP leader cautioned the government that the voters would not accept any alibi for non-performance as the UPA need not have to depend on allies this time.
"Last time you had blamed the allies and got benefit of doubt. This time no alibi will be accepted," he said.
The BJP leader said the role of the opposition would be guided by national interest like how to strengthen the country and make India a developed economic power by 2020.
He said the address had no mention of the racial attacks on Indians in Australia. "This is a little disappointing," he said adding that the opposition would stand by the government in its endeavour "so that these inhuman and barbaric attacks are not repeated in future".
Reminding the government of its lofty promise to generate one crore jobs every year during its first term, Jaitley said had it been done, there would have been over five crore jobs now.
On the other hand, he cited the Commerce Secretary to say that the country had lost 1.5 million jobs in the export sector. "Industrial growth has slumped and industries are closing down," he said.
The BJP leader said much needed to be done in sectors like railways, rural roads, shipping and agriculture.
He said while the President's address said the government would give a new deal to agriculture, the fact remained that a record number of farmers committed suicide.
Jaitley said an "indecisive" government cannot fulfil the promises made to the people.
Referring to the security scenario along the country's borders, he said India was surrounded by "Taliban, Maoists, LTTEs and HuJIs" along its international boundary with Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. "Moreover, Pakistan is not falling in line," he said.
Finding fault with the government's handling of the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist captured during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, he asked whether it was "a fair trial or a collusive trial. Sensitive trials are not conducted in such a shabby manner," he said.
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