The NDA Government starts its tenure at the Centre with a parting gift of 35-40% hike in Diesel price, which is bound to lead to price rise on all fronts affecting the poorer section of the country the most. The otherwise vociferous allies like Trinamul Congress, Lok Dal etc., who had murmured a few words of dissension initially, have now become eloquently silent on the issue as bigger issues of Ministerial allocations being settled. The Confederation of Indian Industry and other corporate backers of the present Government not only welcomed this step but also advised the Government not to roll back the price hike on the face of popular resentment. The emboldened Prime Minister, who draws his main strength from these industry big wigs, has now asked the people to be prepared for harsher steps as a part of what his favourite Finance Minister euphemistically calls as 'second generation reforms.'

As the people of the country are being exhorted to be prepared for such harsher steps, the new Government presents the country with a jumbo Cabinet consisting of 70 Ministers. The message is clear - The people of the country i.e. the workers, the peasants, the poor and the lower middle class, which comprise the majority, should tighten their belts for the so-called second generation reforms so that every fourth MP of the ruling alliance becomes a Minister to enable them to implement the agenda set by the CII, FICCI, Assochem and others. That is the National Agenda.

18th October, 1999.