Economic package is a farce

Two reports in The Hindu and The Times of India, which carry my views. For the benefit of my readers:

The Hindu

Reject criminals contesting Lok Sabha polls: M M Joshi

Varanasi (PTI): Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Wednesday urged the public to reject the criminals contesting Lok Sabha elections, even if the political parties do not dare to do so.
"Reject the criminals contesting the Parliamentary elections, howsoever important figures they are, even if political parties do not dare to reject them. Do not spare such parties also," Joshi said here today.

Talking to media here, Joshi, however, admitted that the BJP had also done some mistakes regarding the selection of candidates for elections. "Sometimes we also commit mistake," he said when asked about the BJP's efforts for clean politics.

"But I never allowed criminal elements in politics," he added.

All political parties should think seriously to end criminalisation of politics, he said, adding that the voters should not forgive the mistakes of political parties and corrupt leaders.
Joshi also expressed his concern over the increasing 'Talibanisation' of Pakistan and said that it was a threat not only to India but also to the entire world.

Hitting out at UPA, he said the reduction in excise duty and service tax was its political move ahead of the general elections. The interim budget was only a fraud played with the people of the country, he alleged.
The senior saffron party leader is contesting the general election from Varanasi while the BSP has fielded mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari against him.

The Times of India

Joshi laughs away govt's duty reduction move

VARANASI: Describing the reduction in excise duty and service tax as a political move of the Centre in view of forthcoming parliamentary elections, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said that it was not for boosting the economy.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Joshi said that the interim budget of the government showed that the nation was heading towards economic bankruptcy. By giving such relief the UPA government was misleading the masses as the new government after election would have no option but to impose taxes in the budget, Joshi said adding that it was not a helping hand but a pickpocket's hand. The BJP advocated for a pro-India economy based on agriculture, medium and small-scale industries, he said.

Regarding the criminalisation of politics, he admitted that the BJP had also done some mistakes. 'Kahin Kahin hum bhi chook jate hain' (Sometime we also commit mistake), he said when asked about the BJP's efforts for clean politics. "But I never allowed criminal elements in politics," he added. All political parties would have to think seriously on this issue to end criminalisation of politics, he said adding that the voters should not forgive the mistakes of political parties and corrupt leaders.

It may be mentioned here that Joshi is contesting the parliamentary election from Varanasi, and the BSP has fielded mafia don-turned-politician Mikhtar Ansari against him.

Joshi also expressed his concern over the increasing Taliban's dominance in Pakistan and said that it was also a matter of serious concern for the neighbouring countries.