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Yashwant Sinha sticks to his guns as BJP rebuts his criticism of economy

Published

9 years ago

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sinha yashwant

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Yashwant Sinha on Thursday stood by the article in which he had criticised Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for making a mess of the economy and followed it up with further, specific details of lapses on the part of the government.

Sinha, speaking to ANI on Thursday, said, “We have all known for many days that the Indian economy has been seeing a decline… This process has been going for the past one-and-a-half years… Even then I kept silent.. The latest GDP figures came out and growth rate fell below 6% and the concerns grew deeper. The government didn’t say anything for over a week, then I felt that I should bring the issue to the public domain.”

“Before 2014, I was the party [BJP) spokesperson when it came to economic affairs. We used to call then United Progressive Alliance [UPA] government situation ‘Policy Paralysis’. This government is not paralysed as many decisions are being taken. But, there is confusion in the government that development can be done through welfare schemes, which is not right,” he said to news agency ANI.

“I am not talking just based on one quarter’s numbers, the economy has been falling for six straight quarters,” said Sinha.

The biggest culprit that made a bad situation near-catastrophic is demonetisation, said Sinha who had called the move “an unmitigated economic disaster” in his column.

“The biggest culprit for growth slowing is the note ban. A thorough study should have been done on its effects to the economy, to jobs and it should have been introduced when the economy was in a healthy state, not in the manner it was introduced,” said Sinha.

As for GST, Sinha had written that its rollout was “badly conceived and poorly implemented”. He reiterated that today. “After the demonetisation shocker, GST was another one. What was the need to hurry? They could have launched it in October,” said Sinha.

“Demonetisation shouldn’t have been brought when economy was weak. Its effects were yet to subside and GST served as second big blow,” Sinha said. “I was a supporter of GST. Govt was in a hurry to implement it from July. Now, GSTN which is the backbone is failing,” he said.

Responding to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal’s comments on Wednesday, saying that India was one of the fastest growing economies of the world, he said, “maybe Rajnath Singh and Piyush Goyal know the economy better so they think India is the backbone of the world economy. I politely disagree.”

“If you leave out Congress finance ministers then I am the only person who presented 7 budgets,” he said.

When asked about his son, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha’s editorial in the Times of India on Thursday being seen as a rebuttal of his own position, Yashwant Sinha said, “There is no family feud over this. I haven’t spoken to him recently. So I don’t know whether he was asked to write this or he wrote it on his own. In any case it is a demonstration that he is being trusted to put forward the government’s view on policy. Well and good, then why was he removed from the Finance Ministry.”

“It is not a father and son issue. If Jayant Sinha has written what he has, its his own sweet will. …If he has been asked, I would say it was a cheap trick to pit father against son. Haven’t spoken to him today,” he told NDTV.

His own prescriptions for the recovery of the Indian economy, he said, was to start from strengthening the banking system and weeding out the Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). “Apart from everything else, the first and foremost goal of the government is to strengthen the banks, but we are awaiting actions in this regard,” he said.

On claims by the government that its work would benefit the country in the long run, he responded by quoting John Maynard Keynes that “In the long run, we are all dead.”

Sinha, a veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, earlier said poorly executed policy shifts had stalled growth. “Economies are destroyed more easily than they are built,” he wrote in The Indian Express on Wednesday.

He also absolved the previous, UPA government of responsibility for the current situation. “We can’t blame the government before us as we got the full chance,” he said.

Sinha told NDTV he had sought to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi a year ago, but was yet to hear back from his office about the appointment. “I had sought an appointment to meet the PM a year ago. He has not met me. Should I be sitting in protest outside his house,” Sinha said.

“No one is willing to listen to us in the government and the party,” he added.

Fielded to defend the government against him, Yashwant Sinha’s son Jayant Sinha said in a TOI piece on Thursday that conclusions drawn from a narrow set of facts simply missed the fundamental structural reforms transforming the economy. “We are creating a robust new economy that will power longterm growth and job creation”.

Jayant Sinha’s rebuttal piece talks about the ‘New India’ which will be built on the foundation of Modi’s economic policies. It argues that measures such as demonetisation and introduction of goods and services tax (GST) will act as building blocks by bringing in formalisation in the economy as a result of which a) tax collections will go up and more resources will be made available to the state; b) friction will reduce in the economy and GDP will rise; and c) citizens will be able to establish credit more effectively as transaction records are digitised.

He also talks about the improvement in FDI inflows from $36 billion in 2013-14 to $60 billion in 2016-17, the government’s various policy initiatives such as bankruptcy code, energy sector initiatives, subsidy reforms through Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile backed direct benefit transfer (DBT). Further, Sinha talks about the progress made on rural electrification, infrastructure push, employment promotion programmes of the Modi government.

But Jayant Sinha’s rebuttal does not answer his father’s criticism on specific issues which are borne out by data: “Private investment has shrunk as never before in two decades, industrial production has all but collapsed, agriculture is in distress, construction industry, a big employer of the work force, is in the doldrums, the rest of the service sector is also in the slow lane, exports have dwindled, sector after sector of the economy is in distress, demonetisation has proved to be an unmitigated economic disaster, a badly conceived and poorly implemented GST has played havoc with businesses and sunk many of them and countless millions have lost their jobs with hardly any new opportunities coming the way of the new entrants to the labour market.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde sent to 5-day judicial custody

Three CJP leaders, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde, were placed under preventive arrest following a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Published

2 days ago

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October 14, 2026

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Three leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) — Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde — have been placed under preventive arrest in connection with a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The three were detained early Tuesday after crossing police barricades and entering Jantar Mantar, which was recently removed from the list of designated protest venues. A case was registered against them over their alleged actions.

According to the police case, the charges include trespassing, violation of a bond, and obstructing a public official from performing official duties.

The three leaders were produced before a Special Court of the Executive Magistrate on Wednesday and could be sent to judicial custody at Tihar Jail.

Why CJP leaders protested at Jantar Mantar

The protest comes amid demonstrations by the CJP and opposition groups over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The controversy centres on allegations concerning the electoral roll revision exercise, which the Election Commission and the BJP have denied.

Jantar Mantar was recently removed from the list of designated protest venues in Delhi. The change followed an order naming alternative locations for demonstrations, prompting criticism from groups that want to hold protests at the established site.

CJP legal team raises concerns over detention

Ratna Singh, head of the CJP legal team, said in a post on X that Delhi Police had arrested Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde at Parliament Street Police Station in connection with the Jantar Mantar case.

Singh alleged that the three were brought to the police station in a private van at around 3 am and were not allowed to meet their lawyers until late at night.

She also raised concerns about the legal process and the possibility of the leaders being sent to judicial custody.

The allegations regarding access to legal counsel were made by the CJP legal team and should be distinguished from the charges registered by the police.

The arrests mark another development in the ongoing dispute over protests at Jantar Mantar and the CJP’s campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner over the SIR exercise.

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BJP focuses on religion as opposition pushes BDM strategy in UP

The BJP is emphasising religious issues ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, while opposition parties are seeking to consolidate Backward, Dalit and Minority voters. Recent exchanges involving Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav and Asaduddin Owaisi have added to the political contest over the state’s electoral narrative.

Published

3 days ago

on

October 13, 2026

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Ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP is emphasising religious issues, while opposition parties are seeking to build a coalition of Backward, Dalit and Minority voters. The competing approaches have brought caste representation and religious messaging to the forefront of the state’s political discourse.

Recent temple-related controversies in Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura and Sambhal have brought religious messaging back into the political conversation. The developments have also coincided with exchanges between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over possible electoral contests.

Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav trade election challenges

The latest round of political exchanges followed Yogi Adityanath’s invocation of the “80-20” formula during the Rajya Sabha election. Akhilesh Yadav subsequently challenged the Chief Minister to contest from Ayodhya.

During his visit to Ayodhya, the Samajwadi Party president attended a Bhagwat Katha but did not visit the Ram Mandir for darshan. His visit, during which he attended a Bhagwat Katha but did not visit the Ram Mandir for darshan, became another point of political discussion.

The Chief Minister responded during a visit to Balrampur, asking Akhilesh Yadav to contest against him.

The exchanges continued as political leaders questioned the Samajwadi Party chief’s religious outreach. State minister Om Prakash Rajbhar asked why Yadav had not visited Mathura, while AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi challenged him to contest from Sambhal.

Responding to questions about the challenges, Akhilesh Yadav said the Chief Minister does not decide which candidates the parties nominate.

At a press conference in Lucknow, Yadav also remarked, “What could be better than getting the Chief Minister’s chair without even contesting the election?” His comment suggested that Adityanath might not contest the Assembly elections.

Adityanath, meanwhile, said he was pleased to have several options available to him.

BJP works on its own caste coalition

Alongside its emphasis on religious issues, the BJP is also seeking to broaden its social support base through caste representation.

During the Rajya Sabha elections, the party fielded three candidates from Backward Classes, two Dalits, two Brahmins and one Rajput. The Backward Class candidates included representatives of the Pal, Kurmi and Lodh communities.

The report describes the BJP’s selection of candidates from the Sonkar and Rawat communities as an attempt to attract support among the Gaur and Jatav Dalit vote banks. Its selection of two Brahmins and one Rajput was also part of its outreach to upper-caste voters.

These choices reflect the BJP’s efforts to build a social coalition that extends beyond its religious messaging as the state approaches the next Assembly election.

Akhilesh Yadav balances caste outreach with temple politics

The Samajwadi Party is also combining its BDM approach with religious outreach, described in the report as “soft Hindutva”.

Akhilesh Yadav is overseeing the construction of the Kedareshwar Temple in Etawah. When questioned about not visiting the Ram Mandir during his Ayodhya trip, he said he was waiting for the temple’s “Pran Pratishtha”, or consecration ceremony, implying that the ceremony held in 2024 did not count.

Yadav has also raised the issue of alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Temple, a move the report interprets as an attempt to appeal to Hindu voters.

The competing strategies indicate that caste representation, religious issues and temple-related controversies are all featuring in political messaging ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

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L Murugan quits Union ministry to strengthen BJP in Tamil Nadu

L Murugan has resigned from his Union ministerial post and Rajya Sabha membership, saying he wants to return to grassroots politics and dedicate himself to strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Published

3 days ago

on

October 13, 2026

By

L Murugan

L Murugan has resigned from his position as Union Minister of State and his Rajya Sabha membership, saying he wants to return to grassroots politics and work towards strengthening the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Murugan, who held the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, announced his decision in a post on X on Tuesday, October 13. He described his time in the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership as a great honour and said he wanted to devote himself full-time to the party’s work in Tamil Nadu.

L Murugan says he wants to return to grassroots politics

In his post, Murugan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Union Council of Ministers and highlighted his background as the son of daily-wage labourers.

He said he now wished to return to the grassroots, stand alongside BJP workers and dedicate his time to strengthening the party in Tamil Nadu before the next Lok Sabha elections.

Murugan’s stated objective is to help expand the BJP’s presence in the state and contribute to the party’s performance in the 2029 general elections.

Murugan’s resignation comes amid Cabinet reshuffle speculation

His decision comes amid speculation about a possible reshuffle in the Union government. The discussion gained momentum after several Rajya Sabha MPs and ministers, including Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, were not renominated.

However, the report does not establish that the speculation about a Cabinet reshuffle was the reason for Murugan’s resignation. His publicly stated reason was his desire to return to grassroots work and strengthen the BJP in Tamil Nadu.

Murugan thanks PM Modi for the opportunity to serve

Murugan described serving India and Tamil Nadu under Modi’s leadership as one of the greatest privileges of his life. He also referred to his journey from a family of daily-wage labourers to the Union Council of Ministers.

His announcement places his immediate political focus on Tamil Nadu, with the BJP’s preparations for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections forming a central part of his stated plans.

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