MAHARASHTRA-What Is Right in Economics Is Wrong in Politics

What Is Right in Economics Is Wrong in Politics Madhav Godbole ECONOMIC terrorism is as much a menace in India today as is political terrorism. Bal Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena, made a bomb blast in his Dassera rally in Mumbai on October I by announcing that he would direct the state government to supply free electricity to fanners in the state. This was a clear signal that elections were round the corner Following the footsteps of Tamil Nadu and Punjab, Thackeray wants to build a vote bank of farmers for his party, As was to be expected, the chief minister has reacted with alacrity and announced that his chief and remote control's directive will be implemented without delay. Not to be left behind and anxious to share the credit for this 'epoch-making' move, the deputy chief minister and energy minister of the state, who belongs to the other coalition party, namely, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has welcomed this "bold decision in the interest of the people" wholeheartedly. His only worry is how to find the amount of Rs 650 crore which (according to his wrong assessment) would have to be paid to compensate the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) for the loss of revenue likely to be sustained by it. The move is all the more shocking coming as it does against the background of the precarious financial position of the Maharashtra government.