Leadership crisis due to dual power centres in UPA: Jaitley

Terms it as a 'structural defect' in the system due to which the nation has paid a 'big price'

BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Saturday attacked the dual centres of power in UPA government under which Congress President Sonia Gandhi has the "last word" while there was "no accountability" of the Prime Minister as is expected in a democracy.

Terming it as a "structural defect" in the system due to which the nation has paid a "big price", he said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lacked "leadership" while ministers have to "bow" before Gandhi because of her "clout and influence".

"There is a serious crisis of leadership.... In a democracy the Prime Minister has the last word. That is why the Prime Minister should be such who has the most political clout and political experience.

"Accountability in a democracy is that of Prime Minister. This did not happen in this regime. This is a lesson for the future," the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said in his lecture on "India 2020 - Challenges Ahead" here.

He said the nation needed a leadership which has 'proven ability' to steer it out of the current crisis.

"Today this nation needs a leadership which has proven ability.... In the world's largest democracy, you create a leadership on the basis of proven ability or will it become a dynastic democracy?"

Without taking Gandhi's name, Jaitley said she wielded more influence on the government and no one questioned her.

"Because of a particular individual, who wields so much clout and influence that even Ministers have to bow before her word and it should become the last word. No government can run like this....

"The Advisory Council is not to contest elections, but the Ministers (have to). They call for making a plan on which over Rs 20,000 crore are spent without the creation of any asset. And no one questions it. This is a structural defect in our system," Jaitley said, adding "the nation has paid a big price for this".