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Posted on 16 June, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
The year on year WPI inflation for the month of March has moved upto 6.01% as compared to 4.58% in the corresponding period last year. The increase is primarily on account of higher inflation in food articles, fuel and power costs. The Government is seized of the matter and is committed to ease supply side constraints. The rise in prices of food articles can also be attributed to withholding of stocks on account of apprehension of a weak monsoon. The State Government should take effective steps to ensure that speculative hoarding is discouraged. The Government is committed to take measures which will positively impact the GDP and result in higher growth than expected. I am hopeful that the inflation which is moving upwards now would eventually come down.
The Government is watching the movement of rupee closely. The slight instability of rupee is essentially because of Iraq oil shocks and global fear of oil price rise.
Posted on 10 June, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
A note on brief talking points made by Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs, and Defence while intervening in the debate on the motion for thanks for the President.
Sir,
The President’s Address to Parliament is a directional roadmap of the NDA Government. It is not an agenda for one year, but a futuristic vision for India. The elections are over. Post elections, we have to embark on the task of nation building. We in the Government are required to display modesty. My friends in the Opposition must demonstrate the graciousness of a loser.
What do the results indicate?
It is after 30 years that a single party in Parliament has got majority of its own. The results have demonstrated that unlike previous elections, this election is not about the arithmetic of alliances. This was more about the changing chemistry on the ground. Traditional vote banks have been smashed. Those who governed badly and thought caste would save them, have been trounced. Those who indulged in political opportunism such as switching alliances have been badly wounded. Those who indulge in corruption and use their political weight to subvert investigation have been defeated. Those parties which relied on dynasties have suffered set back, and those who thought that minorities are not equal citizens but merely a vote bank and relied on consolidation have been disappointed.
This election has seen an expression of hope in the NDA, BJP and Shri Narendra Modi. After three decades, large crowds were there to express solidarity with the leader they had hoped to see guiding their destiny. If this election is an expression of anti-incumbency against the Government, it was simultaneously an expression of hope in Shri Modi and the BJP.
Where do we stand today?
We stand today in a challenging situation. The UPA inherited a 8.57% growth rate. It is leaving behind a growth rate of sub 5% for two consecutive years. The fiscal deficit is abnormally high at 4.5%. Inflation in April is at a high of 8.9%. Tax buoyancy has suffered. Tax GDP ratio is at 10.1% as against budgeted 10.8%. We have seen a decade of jobless growth. The credibility of the Indian economy has been hurt. Investors had stopped looking at us. Investments cycles both domestic and international have been broken. If there has been no investment, there will be no jobs, no revenue, no infrastructure.
The only silver lining now is that the current account deficit has improved. The election results have made a political statement and the global and domestic investment into India is looking up. The investors are once again showing interest in India.
Why did this happen?
This happened because of certain reasons. We must learn the lessons so that these lapses are not repeated again. You cannot run the Government where Prime Minister does not have last have last word. Prime Minister must be having an authority to overrule others. You cannot build structures of men with obsolete ideologies situated outside the Government who dominate Government policies. Massive corruption such as 2G spectrum, coal allocation and CWG destroyed investors faith in India. Lack of stable tax policy dissuaded investors away from India. It became a defining moment against us. When investigation agencies were misused against the opposition, an environment of political confrontation was created, the possibility of arriving at a political consensus was impossible.
The lessons from not nipping corruption at the right time.
When 2G spectrum allocations were taking place and the leadership of the Government received numerous complaints about dubious nature of allocations, the Prime Minister did not step in. When coal blocks were being allocated on the basis of nepotism, the Prime Minister did not step in. |The same was the story with regard to the Commonwealth Games and Cash for Votes. The integrity of the Government became questionable. Its credibility was doubted.
The Government delayed the formation of Lok Pal. It then brought in a weak Bill which would lead to a Government controlled Lok Pal. It thereafter, framed rules to subvert the process. The lessons from the above for the present and all future Governments is that when you discover corruption, it has to be nipped in the bud. If you cover up, you lose credibility. A Government which loses credibility is unable to perform.
Challenges
Our challenge today is that the first right of resources belongs to the poor. We have to revive India’s economy. We have to restore investment cycle. We have to give particular emphasis to low cost manufacture. India missed the first industrial revolution. It missed the bus for manufacturing decades ago. It is on the verge of missing the revolution on becoming a hub for low cost manufacturing. This is the last opportunity and we cannot afford to spoil it. We have to spend a large part of Natural resources on both social and physical infrastructure. We have to unleash the potential of Indian entrepreneurial spirits. We have to concentrate on highways, ports and airports and Social Sector infrastructure. We have to deal with the coal block mess and increase power generation in the country. We have to concentrate on skill development, affordable housing, urbanization and quality higher education.
We want to develop an India which is self-reliant. The Indian society has to be non-discriminatory and compassionate. Our resources have to be spent on the neglected areas of North-east and Tribal belts. National security always remains a top priority for the NDA Government. We want States to be our partners in growth. We will not discriminate against any State on the basis of political complexion.
Our Policies with regard to our neighbors will be dictated by security considerations. Policy with regard to rest of the world will be influenced both by national priorities, traditional relations and economic realities.
Posted on 09 June, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
My dear Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Minister, Finance Ministers from States and UTs, Esteemed Colleague Minister of State for Finance Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, senior officials from Centre and State Governments.
It is a matter of great pleasure that today we have got this opportunity to get together and hold extensive consultations regarding the Main Budget 2014-15. It is the policy of this Government that “Team India” shall not be limited to the Government sitting in Delhi but will also include States as equal partners in the growth of this great Nation. Discussions held today will be of immense help to the Government in giving contours to the Budget proposals to be presented before the Parliament.
1.Union and the States must complement each other in managing the economy and the fiscal policy. This is the essence of cooperative federalism. It has been noted that while the growth of the country has crawled at sub 5% in the recent years there have been States registering much robust growth. This is clearly a case of sum being less than its parts and needs to be addressed through our concerted efforts. Mandate of 2014, clearly spells out that economic growth cannot be compromised at any cost and is sine quo non to reap the benefits of the demographic dividend. We owe it to our youth and underprivileged that we partner in this process of growth and its equitable redistribution.
2. Recently released data by Central Statistical Organization shows that Mining and quarrying sectors have gained a negative growth trend. The manufacturing sector has had an abysmal performance last year. The investment cycle has been disturbed. The negative sentiment has affected trade, hotels and transportation sectors which are posed for a slower growth compared to last year. Inflation continues to be rising with April figure at 8.9%.
3. The slow-down in economic growth coupled with high inflationary pressure poses a challenge to the macroeconomic environment. Tax collections are only at 10.0% of the GDP compared to the initial budget estimates of 10.9%. India can ill afford this trend and I believe that deliberation held today will be the first of the series of such deliberations and we will together steer the economy in the mutually agreed direction.
4. My Government is committed to evolving a model of National Development which is driven by the States and we intend to extend necessary flexibility to States in achieving this. I urge the States to be fiscally responsible with this greater devolution of power. Intergenerational equity must be kept in view while deciding today’s spending. I appreciate the fact that most of States have been conforming to the FRBM targets. We must carry this forward.
5. As part of this economic integration, Goods and Services Taxes (GST) is one pending issue, on which now consensus needs to be built and implementation done at an early date. Implementation of GST has the potential to significantly improve the growth story. Many of you would recall that a decision to implement GST was taken in 2007-08 and an empowered committee was formed for building consensus on this issue. I have been informed that on many issues convergence of views has happened and there are some vexatious issues which only need resolution. I wish and hope that these will be sorted out sooner than later.
6. With a view to grant greater autonomy to States in scheme implementation it was decided that funds for Centrally Sponsored Schemes will be routed through the State Governments. “Flexifunds” as part of this decision also exist to tailor the scheme implementation to meet the local requirements. I urge all of you to use this forum for making suggestions for improving implementation of various welfare programmes of the Government.
7. Long inflationary trends have adversely impacted the food and nutritional security of the common man. We are committed to breaking this vicious cycle of high inflation and high interest rates. While, we look forward to your support in tackling temporary fluctuation in prices, we also would like to evolve a mechanism which addresses the structural issues that create supply bottlenecks. We need to look at the Essential Commodities act and put in place strict measures and special courts to stop hoarding and black marketing. The need for a Single Agriculture Market and real time information dissemination on prices to farmers and consumers are areas which need to be addressed. You will appreciate that these goals cannot be achieved without active cooperation of States. I urge you to address the areas of agriculture extension, public investment in agriculture including irrigation and agriculture marketing which fall under your purview. We will be there to support you.
8. While there is a National Food Security Act, the need of the hour is to implement the law in a cost effective and efficient manner for ensuring real “Food Security”. PDS as a vehicle to shield the poor from price rise has to be significantly improved. Some of the States have done extremely well in improving the delivery under PDS. We all can learn from them. We are committed to reviewing the successful PDS models and incorporate the best practices to revise the existing PDS, for benefitting the common man. Restructuring FCI for greater efficiency in delivering food grains is also on the agenda. Decentralized procurement of food grains provides an alternative and more effective model for food grain administration. I have been informed that only some States have adopted decentralized procurement but many have not. I seek your views on this matter.
9. We believe that growth can be revived through increased investment in the areas of Infrastructure. We have to think big and build an infrastructure which can cater to a growing population in coming years. Growth of infrastructure will also pull out sectors such as cement, steel and power etc from the current downturn and will lead to massive job creation. You will appreciate that this cannot be achieved alone by the Central Government without partnering with the States. Similar approach is also required to modernize our Industries. We should no longer remain a market for global industry rather we should become a global manufacturing hub.
10. We have now reached a stage where demographic dividend will be bereft of any meaning unless we improve access and quality of education and health services for teeming masses. Programmes like SSA, NRHM and PMGSY have improved access to these services, quality has however been questioned by many. We believe that not only access but there has to be a quantum jump in the quality of education and health services at affordable costs. I seek your support in achieving the objective of, quality education for all and assurance of health care for all.
11. I would like to stop here and invite you to share your suggestions for Budget 2014-15. I keenly look forward to your active participation in today’s deliberations.
Posted on 03 June, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
The Reserve Bank of India has reduced the SLR by 50 basis points while maintaining the repo rate as unchanged.
It is a priority for the Government to maintain a balance between growth and inflation. The Government is also concerned with restarting the investment cycle and moving towards higher growth and employment generation. We would like to address the problem of inflation through supply side measures particularly in relation to food inflation. Fiscal consolidation is a priority for the Government.
The RBI has also chosen to maintain a balance between growth and inflation while keeping the policy rates unchanged. It has allowed banks to lend more to the private sector since they will be required to subscribe less to government securities than earlier. It has followed a caliberated approach aimed in the direction of balancing between growth and inflation.
Posted on 01 June, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
The last week for many of us was a historic one. The celebration of the BJP-NDA electoral victory was still on. The swearing in ceremony of the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers became a memorable event. The presence of the SAARC leaders at the swearing in was itself a statement. The distribution of responsibility to the Ministers however brought the realization of what lay ahead of us. For me, the last week evolved from celebration to a challenge. Given the responsibility of two major ministries, distribution of time to cover up the backlog of pending issues on account of code of conduct was paramount. My immediate challenge of course is the state of economy which stares at all of us.
We have inherited an economy whose GDP has grown by sub 5% for two years in a row. Mining and quarrying sectors have gained a negative growth trend. The manufacturing sector has had an abysmal performance last year. The investment cycle has been disturbed. The negative sentiment has affected trade, hotels and transportation sectors which are posed for a slower growth compared to last year. As per the CSO estimates, released in May, the inflation continues to be rising with April figure at 8.9%. The slow-down in economic growth coupled with high inflationary pressure poses a challenge to the macro economic environment. Tax collections are at 10.1% of the GDP compared to the initial budget estimates of 10.9%.
India can ill afford this trend. This has serious social consequences since slow down comes with a decade of jobless growth. Reviving the growth momentum, containing inflation and altering the pattern of growth to gainful employment is today an overriding priority. There is a need to boost domestic low-cost manufacturing and hasten the pace of reforms. Price stability and growth are inter-twined but may require a different strategy.
The victory of NDA and the significant electoral setback to the Congress was on account of the reflection of two different electoral attitudes. There was a high level of dissatisfaction with the previous government. There was hope in the BJP/NDA led by Shri Narendra Modi It is this hope which commands us to pull the country out of the present economic situation. This will involve fiscal rectitude as combination of monetary and fiscal policy. Slower GDP growth will imply lower tax buoyancy and higher fiscal deficit. We must move towards an era of fiscal discipline where we can reduce the fiscal deficit, contain inflation and improve upon our growth rates. India must prepare itself for this. We must commit ourselves to this discipline so that in order to strengthen the Indian economy which can improve the quality of life of every Indian and pull out the deprived ones from the state of poverty. Short term disciplining till we reverse the present trend will give us long term benefits.
Posted on 14 May, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
The Exit Polls present a gloomy picture for the Congress. Such adversities are not unusual. They are a part of the political cycle. Modesty in victory, graciousness in defeat can demonstrate mature political thinking. Salman Khurshid’s reaction to my comment on the Prime Minister, Dr. Mammohan Singh, was indeed disappointing. What was intended to be a gracious comment on the eve of the Prime Minister’s farewell was retorted to by Salman in anger, if not discourteous. Every time Anand Sharma appears on television he is angrier than ever before. He conveys the impression that he was born to rule and his right is being forcibly snatched away. His latest statement on the appointment of the Army Chief reflected a high degree of arrogance even in defeat. The BJP does not wish to bring the newly appointed Army Chief into any controversy. The requirements of State craft would suggest that. However, a party spokesman merely made a point on the propriety of the outgoing Government in its last 72 hours making appointments.
Does the Congress Party honestly have the capacity to accept that as the undeclared Prime Ministerial candidate of the party, Rahul Gandhi, did not measure up in a comparison with Narender Modi? Being a party controlled by a family it is inherent in the belief of the Congress that the family can do no wrong. The Gandhi’s never make a mistake. Either they are being misguided or the responsibility of failure belongs to somebody else. The Congress will be in no mood to come on a correction course. It will be compelled to justify the same error which has cost it Election 2014.
My daily Blog to stop
I had been writing occasional blogs and articles for the past few years. Brief talking points of my speech were also available on my site. Of late, they are also available on my Face Book. During the past few months I had decided to write a daily blog/Face Book post. This was my effort to contribute to the political debate of the day.
Writing this blog and communicating through it was indeed a fascinating experience. I would, every morning, while reading the newspapers, decide on the subject which merited a comment. I would dictate the blog and thereafter correct it. The said exercise is not very time consuming. During the Lok Sabha election campaign while I was stationed at Amritsar I used to dictate the blog every morning at 7:30 AM. I received many comments both in agreement or otherwise. For an active politician to make a daily comment during election periods can be challenging. Enough time for research is not available. Nonetheless I managed. I had decided that I would write the blog during the campaign. Now that the election campaign is over and the results are awaited, time has come for me to discontinue my daily blog. I would, however, be writing occasionally on subjects where I feel that a comment is necessary.
Posted on 12 May, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
The campaign draws to a close today in what is world’s largest democratic election. The strength and resilience of Indian democracy has been most visible during this campaign. Despite momentary tensions and criticisms the elections have ended in a manner which could be a proud moment for Indian democracy.
One year ago the expression of anti-incumbency against the UPA was visible. However, a legitimate question arose in public mind whether the BJP can put its house in order and decide on who its eventual leader would be. This exercise for a democratic party is not as easy as in the case of dynastic parties. Yet, despite many hurdles, on September 13, 2013 we did manage to decide on the candidature of Narender Modi as a Prime Minister. I had at that stage expressed an opinion publicly that Rahul versus Modi battle would be quasi presidential and Modi would score over Rahul in the electoral contest. Anti-incumbency against the UPA was high and therefore the election will be contested on the twin basis of anti-incumbency as also a positive hope in Narender Modi.
The high point of this election was the energy displayed by Modi. During the campaign he has not missed a single meeting. He has visited every nook and corner of India and even in areas where the BJP strength has been somewhat limited, he has managed to create a momentum in favour of the BJP.
The conventional issues which the Congress Party used such as legislations like the RTI, Food Bill and the Land Bill were non-issues in this election. Several populist schemes were of no avail. When the going is not so good, even populist schemes are not able to deliver. Regrettably, the outgoing Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, was absent in the elections. Even his senior Cabinet Ministers were confined to addressing Press Conferences with use of angry and impolite language against Narender Modi.
Intimidation of rival political parties and capturing the environment around the polling stations and thereafter capturing the booths silently was a low point of this election. I only hope that in future the Election Commission will be better equipped to tackle this menace. The high point of this election was the return of huge rallies and a very large turn-out. The campaign strategies have also expanded. Besides conventional public contact programmes, the use of media, advertisements, social media was quite extensive. I have no doubt that in future elections multiple modes of campaigning are bound to expand.
As polling will draw to a close today, Exit Polls will be telecast. Pollsters normally have a tendency to err on the side of caution. I have no doubt that large turn-outs necessarily means a decisive vote. A decisive vote in this election can only be a pro-Modi, pro-BJP or pro-NDA vote.
Posted on 11 May, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
As the General Elections 2014 comes to a close, the logical expectation is that the Congress Party will be reduced to a double digit. The question that arises is – Why has this happened ? How will the Congress Party itself react to its lowest ever figure in history.
Electoral defeats are a part of the natural process. A party must show graciousness in defeat and be ready to learn from the causes of the defeat. It should go back to its basics , strengthen the organization and try to throw up the most acceptable leadership. But will the Congress Party ever do that?
The tragedy of the Congress Party is that it has converted itself into a non-ideological crowd around a family. Its reaction to a double digit figure can only be expected. I do not believe that it will have any role in government formation. It has mandate to sit only in the Opposition and should gracefully accept that position. The three principal causes of the Congress Party’s defeat would be its mismanagement of the economy, its image of encouraging corruption and failure of its leadership.
Its traditional managers of the economy comprised of those with liberal attitudes. Mrs.Sonia Gandhi’s preference for a European socialism coupled with the domination of the NAC agenda took the party on a path of confusion. Its inability to stand up and prevent the 2-G spectrum scam, the coal-block allocations, the Commonwealth Games scam gave to it an image that it had completely compromised on probity. Corruption along with lack of policy, stability in policy, disturbed the investment environment in the country. The mood of economic gloom that was set in was predominantly because of these factors. The weakening of the institution of Prime Minister contributed to disillusionment with the leadership. No country can govern itself if the office of the Prime Minister has diminished and its authority diluted. The consequences of a parallel extra constitutional structure in our system were obviously felt.
I have always believed that indefinite continuation of a dynasty as a mode of leadership selection can be counter-productive for a party. The strength of a party is only as much as the acceptability of that generation of the dynasty. Rahul Gandhi’s leadership failed to inspire both the nation and the Congressmen. A dynastic party will never accept that. It will at best consider that if one member of the dynasty has failed to deliver, dependence should be made on another member of the dynasty. We did see this happening during the Lok Sabha polls.
I do not expect the Congress Party to change even slightly its mode of functioning if it is reduced to two digits. It will at best appoint an AK Antony Committee to review the failures of the Party in the poll which in turn will come with a report when everyone has forgotten about the defeat.
Posted on 10 May, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
Why is Mamata Didi so Angry?
Conventional wisdom would suggest that Mamata Banerjee’s and her party’s traditional rival in West Bengal are the Left parties. The Congress Party would occupy the third spot with the BJP being an also ran. Why then is the BJP the principal target of Didi’s attack? Every day she crosses the laxman rekha and uses the choicest adjectives against Narendra Modi.
Mamata Didi is an intelligent politician. There is a method in whatever she does. Good governance is never her forte. Angry and agitational politics is her strength. A large part of the vote that enabled her to rout the Left in the Assembly elections were those aspirational voters who rejected the Left’s lack of development politics. The Bhadralok had all shifted to Didi as a reaction. It is this very vote which now wants to see Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister. Didi’s Poribortan is not Good Governance or Development. It is anarchy, booth capturing and encouragement to illegal infiltration.
The West Bengal results for 2014 may produce a surprise. Next only to Uttar Pradesh the BJP’s vote share is expected to rise in West Bengal. Narendra Modi’s rallies have attracted a mammoth response. The BJP cadres are buzzing with enthusiasm. They are all calculating as to how much this increased vote share will convert into seats. Except for a few pockets in Malda, the Congress Party is marginalized.
What then is the cause of Didi’s anger and worry? The Congress and the Left are not likely to form a government in Delhi. Didi can never sit in the company of the Left. The current problem is not New Delhi. It is West Bengal. She fears a radical shift of 15 percent vote share that put her in power in the Assembly Elections to the BJP. If that happens, she has only three votes left. Firstly, the traditional Trinamool supporters, secondly the goons who have moved from the Left to her side and thirdly the illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh.
It is the last of these votes which is Didi’s mainstay. For this cause she has to justify infiltration and abuse Modi. The more she does that, the more she alienates herself from a significant section which put her in power. How long can DIdi rely on the illegally imported vote? Even if she manages to retain a large number of seats this time, warning signals for the Assembly Elections are beginning to be heard.
Posted on 09 May, 2014, No Comments Comments admin
The Case of Narendra Modi’s Caste
The fact that Narendra Modi belongs to the OBC community is a major cause of worry to the Congress Party. Though Narendra Modi has never made caste as his identity and his appeal cuts across castes and communities, the Congress worry is apparent. The ruling dynasty of the Congress cannot digest defeat at the hands of a commoner. It is therefore that they made his humble origin as a tea vendor into an issue. The move backfired.
Yesterday Shaktisinh Gohil, the leader of the Gujarat Congress alleged that Narendra Modi had committed a “paap” of including his own community into the OBC list and thus changed his stature from upper caste to OBC.
Does the Congress Party believe that every time a caste is added to the OBC list it is a “paap”? In any case the “Modh Ghanchi” was added as an OBC in Gujarat on 25th July 1994 by the Congress Party government headed by Chhabildas Mehta and in the Mandal Commission list by the Government of India on 4th April 2000. Both these events took place much before Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Do Constitutional Institutions have an immunity from criticism
I do not subscribe to the view that merely because an institution is created by the constitution, it cannot be criticised. Criticism is a way of life. To err is human. Criticism can be intended to put the institution to notice that either the current incumbent or future successors correct the error into which the institution has fallen.
Courts, Election Commission, Prime Ministers, Council of Ministers, Parliament and bodies like the CAG are all creations of the Constitution. They are manned by men either selected or elected. History is a witness to the monumental errors that some of them have committed.
In England the Law Lords have held that even judgements of courts can be criticized. Justice is not a cloistered virtue. It must continue to suffer scrutiny. Lord Dennings the celebrated British Judge always maintained that judgements must be criticized since judges can go wrong and need to put on notice. The Indian judges have held that their decisions can be criticized but don’t impute motives of doubtful integrity on the Judge. When a British paper published a photograph of three English Law Lords upside down with a caption “Those Old Fools” as a protest against their judgement, the House of Lords refused to take contempt action. One of the Law Lords later commented “How is it contempt? Old I am and my wisdom is a matter of opinion”.
S. Mulgaonkar and Shyam Lal the two leading editors criticized the Judges and the judgement in the Habeas Corpus case delivered during the Emergency. They accused the court of timidity. They were charged for contempt. The contempt notice was discharged after a hearing. The Supreme Court held that the intention of Mulgaonkar and Shyam Lal was to strengthen the institution rather than weaken it and hence there was no contempt.
In the past I led a campaign against a member of the Election Commission on grounds of lack of impartiality. The Chief Election Commissioner was asked to report on a petition signed by Members of Parliament. He upheld my charges. The Congress government in whose favour the bias was alleged refused to process the recommendation of the CEC.
Prime Ministers, Ministers, Speakers of the Lok Sabha and their rulings are regularly criticized. MPs are ripped apart frequently. The CAG has not even spared either. Where does one get the proposition that merely because you are a creation of the Constitution, there is immunity from criticism.
I have rightly criticized the Election Commission for failure to check booth capturing. I am convinced that to deny Narendra Modi the right to hold a rally in his constituency is both unfair and a denial of a right to campaign. Both the Returning Officer and the Election Commission have been rightly criticized for this blunder so that in future their successors do not fall into the same error. I do not subscribe to a vague notion of self censorship based on an inter-institutional courtesy.
Tailpiece
My advice to the Returning Officer is that by denying the right to hold a rally he cannot restrict Modi’s campaign. Yesterday’s events proved that unfairness of the Returning Officer was given a fitting reply by the people of Varanasi.