Lucknow: Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s austerity appeal, BSP national convener Akash Anand on Thursday said that at a time when the economy is under strain, the government should work to boost demand rather than suppress it further. In a post on X, Anand stated that the country needed “not an appeal but a clear way ahead.” He emphasized that people wanted answers on when economic growth would return, jobs would increase, and farmers, small traders, and the middle class would receive tangible relief.
Anand's Critique of Governance
“Governance is not only about asking people to sacrifice,” Anand remarked, adding that the national interest lay in “accountability, foresight and economic balance.” His comments came two days after BSP president Mayawati also reacted to the Prime Minister’s appeal, a post that Anand reposted. Anand rarely issues independent political statements and usually limits himself to amplifying Mayawati’s views.
Significance of Anand's Statements
His comments over the past two days — first on the NEET paper leak and then on the economy — are being seen as a possible attempt to regain visibility in active politics. Within the BSP, public statements are traditionally made only by the party chief, and the party does not have an official spokesperson beyond Mayawati. Anand’s intervention on national issues is therefore significant, especially as he has previously faced removal from party responsibilities for straying from the party line.
Economic Indicators Highlighted
Referring to economic indicators, Anand said foreign exchange reserves fell by nearly $38 billion in the last three months to about $690 billion, the rupee crossed 95 against the dollar, and the trade deficit continued to widen. He described these as not abstract figures but reflections of the everyday anxieties of ordinary families. Acknowledging that the global economic climate remained difficult, Anand pointed out that history showed when momentum slowed, governments typically responded with tax relief, support for small traders, and measures to reduce the burden on the middle class to raise purchasing power.
Appeal for Fiscal Discipline
Echoing Mayawati’s emphasis on the hardships faced by common people since the Covid pandemic, he said honest taxpayers were again being made scapegoats without clarity on what relief the government planned to provide. He also urged both central and state governments to curb freebies, strengthen fiscal discipline, and prioritize productive capital creation, warning that short-term political gains could result in long-term economic damage. Anand also held the government and agencies responsible for the NEET examination accountable for the paper leak.
