Sir — The country’s economy is in disrepair, with low growth and high inflation. Yet, as we approach a landmark national election, no party seems to have a sensible economic manifesto.
The Third Front, comprising regional parties, should, instead of seeking votes on secular and other platforms, draw out a firm economic agenda. After all, it is the States that grow wealth and have a greater say on inter-State facilitation of trade and taxes, land acquisition, labour regulation and so forth. The satraps of the front could together evolve a common programme predominantly to re-cast economic recovery. This would take away the stress on routine socio-political rhetoric that has been the bane of earlier fronts.
The emphasis could then shift to an economic plane much like the Eurozone theme, through which each State can optimise its interests even as the nation benefits. It should then hardly matter as to who the front’s prime ministerial candidate would be. With only a few days left, such an evolution of the Third Front may not be feasible. But the next time around, with a bevy of high-profile achievers in the group, we might be able to steer towards a paradigm shift in our politico-economics.