P.M. pursuing wrong policy, says Masani

Summary

This one-page English newspaper clipping reports remarks by Minoo Masani, chairman of the Swatantra Party, at an election meeting in Navsari on 17 February. Masani accused Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of pursuing a wrong economic policy and said that the public sector was losing Rs. 40 crores annually. He also criticised the licensing-permit-quota system, which he associated with corruption, malpractices, and hoarding.

Masani called for abolishing the Planning Commission, arguing that its Five-Year Plans had failed to deliver, and presented the parliamentary election as a contest between Marxist and Gandhian values. The report closes with his praise of Morarji Desai’s integrity, honesty, and patriotism, alongside an appeal for voters to return Desai to Parliament with a large majority.

Key points

• Minoo Masani accused Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of pursuing a wrong economic policy.
• He claimed that the public sector was incurring annual losses of Rs. 40 crores.
• He criticised the licensing-permit-quota system for encouraging corruption, malpractices, and hoarding.
• He called for the abolition of the Planning Commission because its Five-Year Plans had failed.
• He characterised the parliamentary election as a struggle between Marxist and Gandhian values.
• He praised Morarji Desai and urged voters to return him to Parliament with a large majority.