THE Bharitya Janata Party (BJP)-Ied National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Delhi is seemingly facing a litmus test in the face of the century's worst drought, affecting nearly 50 million people in five northeastern states namely Rajasthan. Gujrat. Andra Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. The drought with its telling effect on crops and cattle on a wide stretch of territory from the southern to the northern region of the country, has come as a stark reminder of India’s stubborn development problems amid its vibrant economic growth and software boom. The government is in a fix as to how to tackle this huge problem of providing water and food for such a vast multitude of people. The drought which is continuing for three consecutive years is likely to be felt more severely in the coming months when temperature is likely to reach 50 degree Celsius. Even parts of the capital city of Delhi is reported to have already been affected. Rajshatan and Giijrat are the worst hit states. The authority Is finding it difficult to provide immediate relief and to stem the tide of large-scale exodus of people to urban areas for their survival .

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee addressing the nation over radio and television declared the drought-hit areas as calamity zones and appealed for generous public charities and donations to supplement the government efforts. He also convened an all-party emer-

gency crisis management meet* mg and sought help of all political parties for concerted actions to meet the exigencies.

The opposition Congress led by Sonia Gandhi accused the Vajpayee government of apathy. It claimed that the government was warned beforehand of the impending danger but it did not act seriously. The BJP. in its turn, made the counter-allegation that in the face of drought, almost a regular feature In the region during the last 50 years or so. the Congress did not take any short- or long-term contingency water management plans for the area while in power for pretty long years. But despite accusations and counter-accusations. all the political parties have joined hands in mitigating the sufferings of the drought-affected people.

Here lies the strength of Indian democracy. During national crisis or emergency situation the political parties bury their hatchets and put in their shoulders unitedly to lift the country' out of the morass of the crisis.

The drought has also af-

fected parts of Pakistan, particularly Baluchistan, and the neglhbourlng Afghanistan. Governments of both of the countries have already appealed for international help to meet the situation. All the three countries as well as parts of Iran are in the same Thar desert range.

Notwithstanding the havoc wrought by drought, India has not in any way stop grinding its huge wehr makht (war machine). A new defence policy of the country' Is reported to be on the anvil. The Chiefs of three services are meeting shortly to spell out the strategies in view of what has been described as increasing threats from Pakistan and internal security problems posed by Insurgent groups which, of late, have be-ccyne restive in the northeastern region. The meeting of the three Chiefs of services were to be held in camera and secretly. But since the secrecy has been divulged and came to light fresh decision has been taken to hold it formally and openly. Senior service personnel are to submit their suggestions on security measures at the meeting. After

weighing various suggestions and options India’s new defence policy will be prepared.

It is Indeed an Irony that while famine stares the face of millions of Indians In the drought hit areas, the NDA government is further beefing up Its defence capability through a new defence policy and spending billions of increased amount on armaments. According to the latest statistics. 100 million of Indian families are without water at home, 150 million homes are without electricity. 2.8 million people waiting for telephone connections. 40 per cent villages without road connectivity, clogged ports and crammed urban roads. Interestingly enough, the severity of draught is now squarely felt in the state of Rajasthan (at Pokhran) which was the site of India’s nuke testing. The government that spent billions on arms race now finds it difficult to come to the aid of the hapless afflicted people.

Prime Minister Ata) Behari Vajpayee also faced a mini-revolt from one of the stalwarts of his own party - former Chief Minister of Delhi and VJP Vice

President Madan Lal Khurana. Only three years ago he lost his ministry for praising Vajpayee. This time he lost his party position of Vice-President for criticising and describing the Prime Minister as an American stooge. Khurana publicly made the allegations that NDA government is serving the purposes of Washington at the cost of national interests. He alleged that the US Secretary of Commerce lias dictated what should be the trade policy of India. To please Washington the government has withdrawn Import taxes from as many as over 430 items and withdrawn subsidy for the farmers.

Khurana wrote an open letter addressed to the PM. When the contents of the letter came In the press he was relieved from his party position He later had a brief meeting with the Prime Minister but that did not cut much ice.

Khurna has let it be known that he would seek a debate on these charges in the Lok Sabha shortly. The debate Initiated by one his staunch party supporter will, no doubt, greatly embarrass Atal Behari Vajpayee and

his NDA government. Political analysts maintain that recent changes In the leadership of Sangh (RSS Parlbar) has its outbursts in the mutiny of Khurana. New Sangh leadership do not see eye to eye with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s hobnobbing with and overtures to the United States. What Kliurana is now telling was previously labelled against BJP by the CPI. CPI(M) and CPl(ML).

The NDA government Is also facing scathing criticism from the media and the middle-class for price spiral, mishandling of the drought situation, toeing blindly the US line and the diktat of the world bank and the IMF in the opening up of the economy and withdrawal of subsidy from agriculture. Though BJP leadership claims that Khurana is doing all this for his induction in the ministry. there is no reason to take the matter so lightly. Problems, one after another, are fast snowballing. Coalition partners are becoming disillusioned and the RSS - the core of BJP - is also not happy for the failure of the government to carry for-ward the policy of Hindutva. With 182 seats in Parliament the BJP does not have enough strength to alone decide tne course of action for the government. Twenty-one other parties in the coalition are to be equally consulted. Vajpayee Is literally In a fix as to what to do and what might await his lot In future. Will he able to complete his term or will there be yet another snap poll?