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Government drifting without direction: Jogi

The Congress today accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition at the Centre of "continuing to drift without direction". Even after the ruling party's recent conclave at Bangalore, the "chronic problem" of governance remains unresolved, the main opposition party said.

Giving the party's preliminary reaction to the resolutions adopted by the BJP's national executive, spokesman Ajit Jogi, MP, said, "Even drifting has direction, but this government is directionless."

Jogi noted that some cordiality had been struck between the government and the party, but its allies at the Centre continue to lash out at the government "on each and every issue virtually on a daily basis". "This does not augur well for the nation," he said.

Stating that any coalition cobbled up on the basis of an anti-Congress plank cannot provide governance, Jogi said the government's national agenda for governance is followed more in the breach. "There is no convergence of views between the BJP and its allies on policies and programmes and the people are made victims of non-governance," he said.

Referring to the satisfaction expressed by the BJP at the steps taken by the Gujarat government to contain the atrocities on minorities, Jogi said the Congress is not surprised by the party's "shedding of crocodile tears". "The nation has not forgotten the communal passion and frenzy unleashed by the rath yatra of Home Minister L K Advani which culminated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid," he said.

Maintaining that there is no difference in the party over the political line to be adopted in Gujarat, Jogi said he would contact Sharad Pawar, leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, to ascertain the context in which he had favoured imposition of President's rule in the state.

"Both Mr Pawar and (Congress president) Ms Sonia Gandhi are concerned about the atrocities [on minorities] and want the government to take firm action against the culprits," he added.

Referring to the Union Cabinet's decision to promulgate an ordinance to amend the Patents Act, Jogi said the Congress would welcome it only if it is the same as the bill passed by the Rajya Sabha. "The Congress is keen that its amendment to protect the Indian system of medicine is incorporated," he said.

UNI

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