The NDA government came into power on the platform of
defeating corrupt practices of the then incumbent UPA regime. Indecisive
governance, lack of tangible growth and crony capitalism were at the core of
NDA’s election campaign. During the slugfest leading to the elections, numerous
shady deals in telecom, land acquisition, black money and environmental
clearances to projects were highlighted by the challengers. The resultant
landslide victory had no precedence in the past three decades; India had a
stable single party majority in its parliament. This trust was a translation of
effective communication of promises – to abhor and abstain from corrupt
practices, effective implementation of government schemes and plans to
springboard India into the league of economically advanced nations.
Post elections, people expected precipitous results. Changes
in bureaucracy and shedding off a few laws would not suffice the unclogging of
numerous years of governance backlogs. Change in style of functioning, few
campaigns and almost a year later we have come a full circle. India’s premier
has traveled extensively in his efforts to attract foreign funds, friendships,
technology and talent; however this would all prove nadir if the very plank on
which his government was entrusted the majority would implode due to the burden
of his decisions.
During his visit to France, Narendra Modi facilitated and
confirmed the order for 36 ‘ready to fly’ Rafale brand of fighter jets. The
reason behind the decision has been credited to the 8 squadron deficit the air
force faces in case it is encountered by a full frontal attack by India’s northern
neighbors. The political connotation is to attract French investments in the
defense, technology and manufacturing through the back gates of the defense
deal. This is where the plot gets interesting. While the finer points of the
agreement are yet to be made public; Rafale which is owned by Dassault Aviation
has already signed an agreement of collaboration with the Mukesh Ambani’s
Reliance Group. A mere coincidence?
If make in India was the motive behind encouraging the deal;
why wasn’t the Swedish manufacturer of fighter jets Gripen considered for the task?
After all the company had offered to produce their jets in India completely.
Maybe the Swedish defense company was not able to find an ‘A-list’ (Ambani’s or
Adani’s) suitor for their proposition to the Indian government. Even though the
Defense Minister tried valiantly to digress the topic by raking up the issue of
tenders being scrapped even after Dassault was the lowest bidder. The politicization
of the issue creates more doubt on what the government is trying to hide behind
the noise. While the government tries to justify its decision; whispers have
started in the corridors and questions being asked. Only time will tell if the
NDA would survive the onslaught of crony capitalism or succumb to the very evil
it was elected to fight.
