SPECIAL MEDIA REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA HAILS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 NEW DELHI 001009 SIPDIS STATE FOR NP, AC, PM STATE FOR INR/MR STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU STATE FOR AID/APRE-A USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA HAILS VERDICT 2009; WISHES CONGRESS PARTY LUCK ON PATH TO REFORMS, STABILITY; NEW DELHI. Summary: The Indian media hailed the sweeping victory of the Congress Party and its allies in the country's general elections, saying India had voted for peace, stability and secularism. THE TIMES OF INDIA editorialized that "voters rejected pretenders and chose to reward political parties and candidates that offered a positive agenda for governance." THE HINDU opined that voters "rebuffed small-time practitioners of unethical politics." The pro-Congress Party HINDUSTAN TIMES said, "[Congress Party President] Sonia's maturity, [son and party general secretary] Rahul's youth and [Prime Minister] Manmohan's integrity proved a magic combination." Why did the Hindu nationalist BJP and the communist parties "Left Front" fail? Because their ideologies do not reflect the aspirations of the voters, the media said. THE TIMES OF INDIA editorialized that "the BJP proposed a national agenda that appeared to be socially divisive." On the rejection of the Left, THE HINDUSTAN TIMES said: "Its hidebound dogmas no longer excite the Indian voter, especially the youth." Mentioning the U.S.-India nuclear initiative as a significant factor, Sanjaya Baru, noted media personality and former press advisor to PM Singh, wrote: "Returning to the ideological center [by not giving in to the Left on the nuclear deal], enabled the Congress to return to the Center [i.e., national governance]." Noted editor Vinod Mehta said Indians rejected politics of extreme, as embodied by the Leftists and the rightists (BJP),and voted for centrist governance (Congress). The media are now expecting the Congress party to push ahead with further market and other reforms "now that the Left is out of the way." Commentary from India's leading English and language newspapers follows. End summary. "WHAT IS TO BE DONE" - THE TIMES OF INDIA ¶1. Excerpts from an editorial in the May 18 centrist, independent THE TIMES OF INDIA English daily: (BEGIN EXCERPTS) "New challenges are shaping up that require urgent action.... The economy will not recover on its own but will need action by the government on multiple fronts: roads, power, education, reforming land and labor markets, efficient targeting of subsidies, balancing the budget through disinvestment and other measures, initiating more investment-friendly regimes and slashing red tape.... ¶2. The outcome is that 21st century India is a much savvier country, with voters plumping for governance and development rather than the identity issues of old. The UPA needs to appoint its cabinet with care, weeding out non-performers...while inducting younger faces to make the cabinet more representative of the nation." (END EXCERPTS) "AFTER THE COUNT" - THE TIMES OF INDIA NEW DELHI 00001009 002 OF 006 ¶3. Excerpts from an editorial in the May 18 centrist, independent THE TIMES OF INDIA English daily: (BEGIN EXCERPTS) "Verdict 2009 has been rightly read as a vote for stability and continuity. Voters rejected pretenders and chose to reward political parties and candidates that offered a positive agenda for governance. The mandate for the UPA is as much an endorsement of the Manmohan Singh government's record in office as a rebuttal of political visions that appeared divisive and outdated.... ¶4. The BJP, while losing ground in states that it swept in 2004, has maintained its national profile. However, it seems to have failed to attract new voters. This holds true of the Left also. Why did the BJP and the Left fail? Because their ideologies do not reflect the aspirations of the voters and the tactics they followed during the campaign alienated even supporters. The BJP proposed a national agenda that appeared to be socially divisive, whereas the Left's idea of nation-building was perceived to be at odds with the spirit of the times." "MOVE ON REFORMS, BUT PROTECT POOR" - THE ASIAN AGE ¶5. Excerpts from an editorial in May 18 nationally circulating, centrist THE ASIAN AGE English daily: (BEGIN EXCERPTS): "One could almost hear the collective sigh of relief in business and trade circles on Saturday when it became clear that Dr Manmohan Singh's new government will no longer be dependent on the support of the Left parties for its survival.... Corporate India has a long wish list: it expects an avalanche of reforms to be announced without much loss of time. It points out that with the market-unfriendly Left out of the way, the government has no excuse left for not pushing ahead with reforms.... ¶6. But there is a parallel view, both within the government and outside it, that while economic reforms must move ahead, the social impact of any proposed change - particularly on the millions of poor and marginalized Indians - must be taken into account and that the government should not move too fast in allowing foreign ownership of nationalized banks and insurance companies." (END EXCERPTS) "UPA'S AGENDA OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION" - OP-ED IN ASIAN AGE ¶7. Excerpts from an op-ed in May 18 nationally circulating, centrist THE ASIAN AGE English daily by Arjun Sengupta, Economic adviser to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi: "Pakistan is now facing an enormous crisis. The challenge to Indian foreign policy is how to help democratic forces and oppose the fundamentalists.... In the current international situation, a mature NEW DELHI 00001009 003 OF 006 relationship between India and the US is essential to promote our external interests. We cannot bypass the US, not only in the context of Pakistan, but also in developing our position with the West Asian countries, even China. That was the lesson of Jawaharlal Nehru's foreign policy, which was independent, non-aligned and friendly to the then Soviet Union, but also never against the US." "OBLIGATIONS OF THE NEW MANDATE" - THE HINDU ¶8. Excerpt from an op-ed in May 18 South India based, leftist influenced THE HINDU English daily by deputy editor Harish Khare: (BEGIN EXCERPT): "The voters have defied conventional wisdom and rebuffed the small-time practitioners of unethical politics. The recipients of the new mandate have an obligation to re-invent healthy governing practices.... Voters have now spared the Congress leadership the necessity of bad bargains with unsavory allies. The voters have left the Prime Minister no excuse for putting up with practitioners of bad governance, even if they happen to be part of the new compact coalition. ¶9. The 2009 vote can also be interpreted as a rejection of the politics of negativism and exclusion.... Inherent in the 2009 mandate is a yearning for stability and coherence at the very core of the Indian state.... The 2009 mandate has mandated Dr. Manmohan Singh to restore the moral elements in governing processes and practices." (End excerpts) "LASTING FRESHNESS" - INDIAN EXPRESS ¶10. Excerpts from an editorial in May 18 nationally circulating centrist English daily INDIAN EXPRESS: (BEGIN EXCERPTS): The Congress party has been given an unequivocal mandate to govern. And make no mistake: this is a fresh mandate. It isn't, in any way, a continuation or an extension of the 2004 result. The Congress, in its post-victory enthusiasm, should not lose sight of that.... ¶11. The Human Resources Development Ministry, which must be given to someone willing to take on the hardest of tasks, reforming India's antiquated educational system, in the teeth of both entrenched interests and with a deadline - the demographic transition waits for no one. India's single most pressing task is to develop the human capital of today's enormous set of young people, or the very real fear is that it will have missed the boat as a great power.... The mandate reveals the country is willing to try new things. The Congress must start giving India new faces, new ideas, and new reform. Now." (END EXCERPTS) "TURNING A PALER SHADE OF RED" - THE HINDUSTAN TIMES ¶12. Excerpts from an editorial in May 18 nationally circulating centrist THE HINDUSTAN TIMES English daily: NEW DELHI 00001009 004 OF 006 (BEGIN EXCERPTS) "The gentle Manmohan Singh showed that he was made of sterner stuff when he refused to back down in the face of ultimatums from AKG Bhawan [leftist headquarters) and carried the day. He has carried the day again and Mr Karat [leftist party supremo] has been left whistling in the dark. ¶13. Thanks to his obduracy and much-hyped stance that he would not support either the Congress or the BJP, the Left is today up the creek without a paddle.... The writing on the wall for the Left is clear. Its hidebound dogmas no longer excite the Indian voter, especially the youth. Mr Karat would do well to try and reorient the Left's philosophy to reflect the aims and aspirations of today's Indians. Verdict 2009 is quite clear. The shibboleths of the past have been rejected." (END EXCERPTS) "VERDICT 2009: THE GAME-CHANGER" - DECCAN HERALD OP-ED ¶14. Excerpt from an op-ed in May 18 South India circulating centrist DECCAN HERALD English daily by senior political columnist M.J. Akbar: (BEGIN EXCERPT) "The most important result of this election is that the elimination of regional parties from national space has begun. This was the message in north, south, east and west where Congress expanded its space at the cost of both friends and foes.... ¶15. The BJP realized that development and governance were the decisive issues. But although its venerable leader L K Advani tried to define the party around modern needs, he was tripped by the rhetoric of those who thought that the country still wanted to hear the war cry of social conflict.... This is the major lesson for the next leader of the party: India wants peace with prosperity because Indians realize that prosperity cannot come without peace." (END EXCERPTS) "VOTE FOR PLURALISM" - DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS ¶16. Excerpt from editorial in May 18 Western India circulating centrist DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS English daily: (BEGIN EXCERPT): "Most of all, it is the larger inclusive agenda of the Congress and UPA government... that has done the trick. Where the others offered identity politics, based on caste or religion, the Congress had a vision of pluralism and development... the country voted for a combination that promised stability." (END EXCERPT) COMMENTARY IN THE COUNTRYWIDE LANGUAGE PRESS: ¶17. "RETURN OF CONGRESS," editorial in right-of-center DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "India voted for progress. If price rise and security were issues, then Congress wouldn't have won... If is now time to think of a two- party system in India." ¶18. "FUTURE CHALLENGES," editorial in centrist NEW DELHI 00001009 005 OF 006 NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "Reagonomics proved no good for U.S. and Britain. If Manmohanomics saved India, then let us not forget to give some credit to the leftists for their relentless pressure. This restraint will now have to come from within." ¶19. "MESSAGE OF ELECTION RESULTS" editorial in May 18 RASHTRIYA SAHARA Urdu daily: "The election results have proved that the Indian voters have rejected communal parties who believe playing hate politics. The venomous anti-Muslim speeches of Bhartiya Janta Party leaders didn't cut any ice. This shows India is secular!" ¶20. "CONGRESS IS BACK TO ITS GLORIOUS PAST," editorial in May 18 AKHBAR-E-MASHRIQ Urdu daily: "Some of the credit for Congress Party's victory goes to the Muslim voters too, who had distanced themselves from the party after the demolition of Babri mosque in 1992. Now we should hope that the new Congress party government will implement Sachar Committee recommendations for the welfare of the Muslim community." ¶21. "WIND CHANGES DIRECTION," editorial in May 18 nationalist Kolkata Urdu daily AKHBAR-E-MASHRIQ: "The revival of the Congress not only in UP (Uttar Pradesh, the largest Indian State) but throughout India has been made possible by the Muslim electorate in the country and this support will continue...." ¶22. "WELCOME DEPARTURE," editorial in May 17 independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. "Indian voters have placed national political issues above regional politics. The result of this election is decisive and it clearly shows that regional parties have become weaker...." ¶23. "VOTER IS KING" editorial in May 18 largest Assamese daily left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN: "No matter what the political parties' had thought or done, it was the people who took the ultimate decision. And they know what is good for them and for the country as well." ¶24. "MANDATE FOR STABILITY," editorial in May 17, Bangalore-based left-of-center Kannada daily PRAJAVANI: "The electorate has voted for stability and development. They have rejected divisive policies of BJP on the lines of religion." ¶25. "SATISFYING RESULT," editorial in May 17, Bangalore-based, independent Kannada daily KANNADA PRABHA: "It is really satisfying that finally the electorate voted a stable government at the center. Now the Congress has got a great opportunity to build a cabinet, which can really bring positive change to the country." ¶26. "BIG BLOW ON THE EGOS," editorial in May 17 Chennai-based Tamil daily, DINAKARAN: "People have inflicted a big blow on the egos of opportunist NEW DELHI 00001009 006 OF 006 leaders. People have thrashed political opportunism." ¶27. "STRONG AND DECISIVE VERDICT," editorial in the May 18 right-of-center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR. "Left leaders that tried to stymie the bilateral Indo- U.S. nuclear deal failed to convince the smart voter why the deal was not necessary for meeting India's vast energy requirements..." ¶28. "A CLEAR WIN OF THE MIDDLE-OF-THE ROAD APPROACH" op-ed article by senior editor Suresh Dwadashiwar in the May 17 centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. "Indians have shown a complete lack of interest in the abrasive religion-based politics of the BJP, and they have also disapproved the Left stance which obstructed the Congress-led government's efforts to ink the landmark Indo-U.S. nuclear deal... The popular vote is therefore against extremist blinkered thinking." BURLEIGH