Masani assails PM’s economic policy

Summary

This Indian Express report, dated 17 February 1971, records Swatantra Party chairman Minoo Masani’s criticism of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s economic policies at a public meeting in Navsari. Masani attributed rising poverty over the preceding five years to the government’s policies and argued that the electorate should reject what he presented as an unchecked mandate for the Prime Minister.

Masani also opposed the Planning Commission, calling for its abolition on the grounds that it functioned as a “super Cabinet.” In the electoral context, he contrasted a vote for Mr. Chokhamala with communism and a vote for Morarji Desai with democratic socialism, while praising Desai as an honest and disciplined leader who could rise above party considerations. The article reports Masani’s appeal for Desai’s return with a large majority.

Key points

• Minoo Masani blamed the government’s economic policies for worsening poverty during the previous five years.
• Masani warned voters against giving Prime Minister Indira Gandhi what he described as a blank cheque in the coming election.
• He called for the Planning Commission to be scrapped, describing it as a “super Cabinet.”
• Masani contrasted a vote for Mr. Chokhamala with communism and a vote for Morarji Desai with democratic socialism.
• He endorsed Morarji Desai as honest, disciplined, and capable of rising above party considerations.
• The report says Masani urged voters to return Desai with a massive majority.