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'Slower rate of growth hallmark of present govt': Chidambaram at Chintan Shivir

Modi govt doing a repeat of 2004's India Shining campaign, he said
'Slower rate of growth hallmark of present govt': Chidambaram at Chintan Shivir
'Slower rate of growth hallmark of present govt': Chidambaram at Chintan Shivir

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS The Congress finds hope in the failure of the BJP's India Shining Campaign in the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 as it looks for effective ways to reach out to the people on issues relating to economic distress, such as inflation and unemployment, even as it will emphasise upon the need for a reset of economic policies in place since the liberalisation initiated in 1991.

These are among the highlights of the discussion on economic issues at the Congress’ Chintan Shivir underway in Udaipur.

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, who heads a panel discussing what should be the party’s stance and strategy with regard to economic issues over the next two years in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, admitted that while economic distress has not taken the shape of a large protest, it was bound to become one.

“We saw the India Shining Campaign in 2004. We were able to take our message to the people and defeat the India Shining Campaign. The Modi government is doing a repeat of the India Shining Campaign. We are confident that we will defeat the hype and exaggeration of the Modi government,” he said.

Asked about the BJP continuing to register electoral wins despite issues such as inflation and lack of jobs, Chidambaram said, “the people feel the pinch of loss of jobs…During the campaign in Goa, I saw how every other home made a plea about a son or a daughter or a nephew not having a job. Therefore we are right in our assessment of the mood of the people.”

The Congress president had set six groups prior to the Chintan Shivir to deliberate on issues under six different heads, with Chidambaram heading the panel on economy. The panel has nine members besides Chidambaram and they are joined by 60 leaders at the brainstorming camp for an elaborate discussion.

Among the broad conclusions of the group, according to Chidambaram, is the need for a reset of economic policies in place since the liberalisation of the economy in 1991 that was undertaken by the Congress government of that time.

“A Congress-led government ushered in a new era of liberalisation in 1991. The country has reaped enormous benefits in terms of wealth creation, new businesses and new entrepreneurs, a huge middle class, millions of jobs, exports and lifting 27 crore people out of poverty during a 10-year period. After 30 years, it is felt that taking into account global and domestic developments, it may be necessary to contemplate a reset of the economic policies,” he said.

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