CHAPTER - 17

MOTION OF THANKS ON PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

Lok Sabha , 2 March 1977

EDITORIAL NOTE

This speech shows Chavan at his best as the Leader of the Opposition. He has dealt with the question of Emergency, the repeal of MISA, rural development, as well as, the foreign policy issues. He squarely puts the blame on the Government for using the President’s address for conveying what he calls ‘half-truths.’

Speaking about rural India, according to Chavan, there are three fundamental problems: of poverty, of inequality, both social and economic - and the problem of modernizing manpower and agriculture with the help of science and technology.

Finally, speaking about the Centre-State relations. Chavan advocates for a strong Centre. At the same time, he warns that “strengthening the Centre at the cost of the States would be against the interest of India, because this will certainly strike at the very roots of India’s unity.”

This speech shows Y. B. Chavan at his best as a Parliamentarian.

Shri Y. B. Chavan : Mr. Chairman, ought to have participated in this debate  much earlier as the Leader of the Opposition. I was out of Delhi because of the minigeneral elections and therefore, some other members of out party spoke on out behalf. All the same, I thought that I should not allow this opportunity to participate in the debate to pass by. This is why I am speaking now.

The President’s Address is a constitutional requirement and, therefore, it assumes great political administrative and constitutional significance.

The speech of the President is expected to be an analytical review of the past year as well as a very perceptive peep into the future, at least for a year. And naturally, the speech of the president or, any speech of any President, will have to be judged by these two tests.