Hostile climate hinders economic development: Advani
Tuesday, March 22 2005 12:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time - 
New Delhi:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday (Mar 21, 2005) opposed imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT), which is slated to go into force from April 1, in the absence of a consensus on it and alleged there was a climate of "vendetta" in the political arena, which is not conducive to economic development.
"One party can't change the system. The Government should take others, especially the Opposition into confidence," leader of the Opposition and BJP president L K Advani said while delivering the valedictory address at a seminar organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi.
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"We want to co-operate with the Government in all fields, especially in economic sphere but that does not mean you remove Governors at will. We have never done that," Advani said.
He said, "While normal adversarial relationship will always be there in politics arbitrary decisions and vindictive approach have no place in it."
"Economic development is not possible in such an atmosphere. We want to create an atmosphere of consensus. But if there is hostility and vindictiveness in the political arena, it is not possible. It is undemocratic," Advani said.
Advani said that a consensus has not yet been reached over the implementation of VAT. "Unless and until the misgivings and grievances of the trading community are removed, VAT should not be implemented," he said.
"India's stature has been enhanced in the international sphere because we have successfully maintained the democratic set up without a coup or a bloodshed. This is a big achievement," Advani said.
Advani contended that development could be attained only when there was meaningful dialogue process with "emphasis on all subjects".
On the functioning of the judiciary, Advani said that he did not regard the judiciary as "partisan".
"Its (the judiciary's) role has been clearly identified. Though there has been a decline in the standard by and large, the upper courts have functioned in a non-partisan manner," he said.
PTI
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