PM's Media Interaction

LAST week, on Feb. 18 or 19, I got a call from NDTV to participate in Barkha Datt's programme, the next day. I was asked some questions about PM's performance. The voice on the other side of phone kept noting down my comments. Subsequently, I was told that seniors will contact me again. When asked about my role in the programme, I was told that I will be sitting in the audience and ask questions from the panel of experts comprising of political leaders of different political parties. I declined participation as all replies of political leaders follow their respective political line and no one is ready to accept the truth. However, I share my views on this page.

THOUGH I welcome such initiative from the PM (such interaction should be encouraged), I could not understand the motive behind this interaction being presented live, particularly when PM had nothing to add to what Congress spokespersons had already revealed in various interviews/programmes on various TV channels viz. NDTV, Times Now, IBN and CNBC.

THE interaction was quite worthless as the PM did not say anything meaningful regarding the most important issues of corruption and inflation. Some of the media persons were casual in asking the prospects of India in Cricket World Cup as also the chances of success of his coalition in the ensuing Vidhan Sabha elections in five states.

THE PM, to one of the questions on 2G spectrum, compared the allotment of spectrum to subsidies given to the poor. Whole of the media has criticised it one way or the other. The PM refused to accept that any loss has occurred to the government in the sale of this spectrum. He also did not add to our knowledge regarding S-band sale to Devas Media. Similarly, many other issues taken up by that interaction have been lapped up by the media subsequently but for...

IN reply to one of the questions the PM said that he is not in favour of lowering of inflation at the cost of economic growth. The English media is an important beneficiary of neo-liberal policies of the government but what about vernacular press? It is a well known fact that inflation concerns aam aadmi while growth is the concern of neo-rich. Besides, all the economists associated with this kind of growth do agree that faster rate of growth, initially, (they have never explained why only initially) has strong negative effect on the poor. And yet, the government of aam aadmi boosts of economic growth.

THE PM highlighted his government's incentives and programmes for common man including MNREGA. None in his government has ever enlightened us to why despite plethora of various programmes of employment, health, nutrition, education etc., the things are deteriorating in all spheres?

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