BJP vs Congress in Indian Economy: A White Paper Summary as Sitharaman Critiques UPA’s Performance

The BJP has released a white paper that highlights the challenges it faced in fixing the Indian economy and restoring its fundamentals to sound health. The party acknowledged that India’s economy was fragile and had lost confidence in its potential and dynamism. However, it claimed that it has now achieved economic stability and growth prospects, inspiring hope in others. The white paper contrasted the previous state of affairs, such as a scam-riddled Commonwealth Games and various corruption scandals, with the current situation, citing successful hosting of the G20 Presidency and improvements in technologies like 4G and 5G rollout.

The party declared that confidence and purpose have replaced the diffidence and drift of the past. Finance Minister Ms Sitharaman announced the white paper last week when she presented the interim budget, emphasizing that it was the right time for such a document. She highlighted the economic paralysis and corruption that the BJP government had encountered when it took over in 2014, but assured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had put the people first. The announcement of the white paper was “welcomed” by the Congress’ P Chidambaram, who, however, expressed the condition that it should be written by an independent body not affiliated with either political party or any government agency.

The document released by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge flagged issues such as increasing unemployment and a drop in the average GDP growth rate. Overall, the white paper reflects the contrasting perspectives of the BJP and the opposition on the state of the Indian economy and the policies and achievements of the current government.