Delhi Impact, Debating 'Reform' and Will Modi Rise to the Occasion

If the BJP has learnt any lesson from the Delhi elections, the impact will find a reflection in the Union Budget that is less than two weeks away. Otherwise too, I hope this budget to be a departure from the past. And serve as a signal act.

Unfortunately, the last couple of budgets had been crafted through eyes narrowly fixated with legalese. Budget is essentially a political instrument for the government (thereby ruling party / alliance) and should not be seen even as a purely economic tool alone. 

The making of budget, in the last decade and more, has become bureaucratic, mechanized and a lot less vibrant despite trying it’s best to be populist. It is this reason that even if one wants to be charitable, can't call them visionary and path breaking. Of course, Dr Manmohan Singh under PV Narsimha Rao's confidence can be credited with really brave budgets. But not any further.

Politics and economics are inter-twined. Whoever forgot paid a heavy price. UPA did, at least in the second version.

There is a lot of noise on how will this government perform on ‘reform’ parameters. 

Personally, I get agitated when people talk of economic 'reforms' as if we are dealing with a Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in the economic domain. 

Far from it. The current 'reformist' crop is hand in glove with crony capitalism, ripping off national assets and creating chaebols in the name of laissez faire. 
I will be pleased and obliged if somebody can convince that it amounts to 'reform'. I wish the nomenclature changes. The term itself is a great disservice.
There is some effort to correct terms in History, I am sure people in economic and finance will also rise to the occasion.

Nobody opposes free market economy now except the fossilised Left. No one opposes the spirit of free enterprise and India taking the expressway too growth, but the question is - are these 'reforms' the right pathway?

Creating the environment for free and fair enterprise, investing in long term infrastructure and provide succour to people who are reeling under food inflation more than anything else do seem important.

The middle class and the working class constitute the nation as do the India’s unique Tea party class or the cosy club.

This is not anyone else’s but Mod’s moment. The make or break moment for his image. The moment of truth… the moment of holding the promise. Will he listen? Will his heart beat. 

The series will continue… this was the intro!
Subsidies, SMEs and of course Environment to follow...