M A I N   N E W S

Fractured govt can be catastrophic: Prez
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 25
Indirectly criticising the recent steps taken by the Aam Aadmi government, President Pranab Mukherjee today said a fractured government at the Centre in 2014 could prove catastrophic for the country.

He urged the voters to introspect and act accordingly while addressing the nation on the eve of the 65th Republic Day. “Populist anarchy cannot be a substitute for governance. Elections do not give anyone a licence to flirt with illusions and those who seek the trust of voters must promise only what is possible. The government is not a charity shop,” he said.

He said though cynics might scoff at India's commitment to democracy, people never betrayed democracy and where fault lines existed, they were the handiwork of those who had made power a gateway to greed. He said corruption had enraged common man and if governments did not remove the flaws, voters would remove the government. “We do feel angry, and rightly so, when we see democratic institutions being weakened by complacency and incompetence. If we hear sometimes an anthem of despair from the street, it is because people feel that a sacred trust is being violated,” the President said.

With the General Election a few months away, the President said 2014 was a “precipice moment” in the history, both in the backdrop of a decade that saw the country emerging as one of the fastest growing economies, but hit by a slowdown during the last two years. Asking people not to lose hope, he said, the green shoots of revival were already visible.

“Year 2014 is a precipice moment in our history. We must re-discover that sense of national purpose and patriotism that lifts the nation above and across the abyss and back on to the road of prosperity. Give jobs to the youth and they will raise villages and cities to the 21st century standards. Give them a chance and you will marvel at the India they can create,” he said.

The President said such a chance would not come if India did not get a stable government, as a fractured regime, held hostage to whimsical opportunists, was always an unhappy eventuality.

“In 2014, it could be catastrophic. Each one of us is a voter, each one of us has a deep responsibility. We cannot let India down. It is time for introspection and action…2014 should also become the year of healing after fractured and contentions politics of the last few years,” he said.

He said: “Those who come to power must be committed to stability, honesty and development. This is more important than who wins the election.”

Praising the armed forces and security for their contribution to meeting both external challenges and internal threat, the President attacked those who questioned the integrity of the bravehearts. “Mavericks who question the integrity of our armed forces are irresponsible and should find no place in public life,” he added.