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The recent release of the Modi government’s White Paper on the Indian economy has ignited a fresh wave of political debate, with key figures from the previous administration, notably Sanjaya Baru, former media advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, dismissing it as a mere political statement rather than a comprehensive assessment.
Baru, who served as an insider during Manmohan Singh’s tenure, offers a counter-narrative to the White Paper’s critique of the Congress-led UPA government’s economic policies. He emphasizes the significant strides made in terms of economic growth, poverty reduction, and export expansion during that period. Baru contends that while mistakes may have occurred, characterizing Singh’s tenure as a period of crisis and mismanagement is unfounded.
The publication of Baru’s memoir, “The Accidental Prime Minister,” in 2014 provided insights into the dynamics of power within the Singh administration, shedding light on the influence of Congress President Sonia Gandhi. The book sparked controversy, with the PMO officially denouncing it as fiction, yet Baru maintains that his intent was to present an empathetic portrayal of Singh.
The contrasting narratives underscore the inherently political nature of economic assessments, particularly in the context of partisan politics. While the Modi government seeks to leverage the White Paper as a tool to highlight perceived shortcomings of the previous regime, the response from figures like Baru underscores the subjectivity inherent in such evaluations.
Moreover, the timing of the White Paper’s release, amidst a general election campaign already underway in many parts of the country, suggests a strategic move by the BJP to shape the narrative around its economic stewardship and contrast it with the perceived failures of the UPA era. The paper is poised to become a focal point of the BJP’s election messaging, with state units expected to amplify its contents to underscore the government’s efforts to steer the economy back on track.
As India braces for a new phase of political discourse leading up to the elections, the debate surrounding the White Paper serves as a reminder of the intersection between economics and politics, where competing narratives vie for public attention and electoral support. In this contest of ideas, the true impact of economic policies on the lives of citizens often becomes secondary to the battle for political supremacy.
