India needs strong leader like Modi, not tragedy king like Kumaraswamy: Jaitley

Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday made optimum use of the 'teary-eyed' video of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and said, unlike Karnataka's failed coalition politics, during 2019 polls India should opt for a "strong and decisive political leadership" under Narendra Modi.

"The leader of the world’s fastest-growing economy cannot be a ‘Bechara’ (helpless)," Mr Jaitley said.

In the article, Jaitley noted the coalition situation in Karnataka was a “repeat of what the Congress did to Chaudhary Charan Singh, Shri Chandrasekhar, Shri HD Deve Gowda and Shri IK Gujral.” Jaitley adds, “It is the obvious consequence of a non-ideological opportunistic alliance with no positive agenda. The basis of the negative agenda is ‘Keep Modi Out’.”

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After referring to an earlier article written in May, Jaitley argued a “great opportunity” awaits India. “We need, for the next one decade and more, a high trajectory growth. We are faced with the global challenge of terrorism and the current economic challenges thrown up by rising crude oil prices and the trade war. To confront these challenges, India needs a strong and cohesive Government.” Jaitley added.

“India needs a government which is able to resist unfair pressures of either allies or regions. It is the high growth rate, investment into rural India and the social sectors, credibility and strength of the Indian economy which will help us to be domestically strong to meet these challenges,” Jaitley said.

Jaitley referred to Kumaraswamy's confession of coalition compulsions. “In the past few days we witnessed the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, baring his emotions with tears, wetting his eyes and declining to accept bouquets and garlands,” Jaitley noted.

Jaitley argued that “non-ideological” coalitions such as the one in Karnataka “always get trapped within their own contradictions” as their only object is their survival, not service to the nation.

Jaitley made a swiping remark on Kumaraswamy saying that if any such coalition comes to power, and the Prime Minister has to weep before the cameras with an only wish of how to exit from office, it will be a scenario worse than the policy paralysis of UPA II.