Will privatisation be stalled under Modi-led govt?

While the Aam Aadmi Party, which was believed to be a firm follower of Left principles, sprang a surprise by saying that it is not against privatsation, it now seems it is the BJP now against this policy.

Arun Shourie told ETNow in an interview yesterday that ifNarendra Modi comes to power, he is unlikely to undertake any big-ticket asset sales. Shourie said the Gujarat chief minister and BJP prime ministerial candidate believes public sector undertakings can be turned around and that there’s no need to sell their stake to private sector.

Shourie was the disinvestment minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government during 1999-2004. He had aggressively pushed the disinvestment agenda unsuccessfully due to lack of support.

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The incumbent Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government has fallen woefully short of its disinvestment target. AndShourie’s statement may come as a great disappoint to private companies and to those who believe privatisation is the way ahead to end public sector monopolies.

Shourie said the BJP’s PM candidate will focus on simplifying business procedures and setting up large infrastructure projects rather than privatisation. Shourie pointed out that Modi has already turned around the Gujarat State Electricity board without getting private players and he believes he can do the same in the country.

However, Shourie said when it comes to manufacturing, Modi would also want to open up certain closed sectors to the private sector.

So, is the BJP more likely to be Left?