The Hindu : Front Page : Jaswant criticises UPA policies

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Thursday, Jun 03, 2004

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Jaswant criticises UPA policies

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 2. The former Finance Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Jaswant Singh, today criticised the External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, for his recent statements on ties with Pakistan and wondered whether his idea of a "common nuclear doctrine" for India, Pakistan and China was a "fanciful individual notion."

Addressing a press conference jointly with the National Democratic Alliance convener and former Defence Minister, George Fernandes, to present the NDA's critique on the ruling United Progressive Alliance's Common Minimum Programme (CMP), Mr. Jaswant Singh was critical of the UPA's economic policies, saying there was no clarity on where the funds for its "grandiose plans" would come, be it for investment in agriculture and infrastructure or the promise of 100 days of guaranteed employment.

In answer to a question, the NDA leaders said the Opposition MPs would march to Rashtrapati Bhavan tomorrow and present a memorandum to the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, against the induction of "tainted" Ministers in the Union Cabinet. They would request him to take whatever action he deemed fit.

Referring to the CMP, Mr. Jaswant Singh said it was silent on the issue of external and internal security as well as "terrorism" and "militancy."

"This either reflects an absence of thought or that there was no unanimity of view within this arrangement of the Progressive Alliance."

On Mr. Natwar Singh's recent statements, he said: "It would be difficult for me to comment on the External Affair Minister's statements. I have only read newspaper reports suggesting that there will be continuity in policies with the U.S. but the statements on Pakistan veered from one end of the pendulum to another. I hope they find a static position."

He said the relations with Pakistan were put on a firm footing by the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the interest of the peoples of both the countries and for the purpose of larger peace.

Commenting on the Government's proposal for a "common nuclear doctrine" he asked how it was possible when the origins were different.

"While India subscribes to minimum nuclear deterrent and to no-first use, Pakistan does not have a no-first use policy and China subscribes to a very different no-first use. It is important that the Government verifies its thinking and not be given to fanciful individual notions."

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