BJP leader Arun Jaitley today attacked the dual centres of power in UPA government under which Congress President Sonia Gandhi has the "last word" while there was "no accountability" of the Prime Minister as is expected in a democracy.
Terming it as a "structural defect" in the system due to which the nation has paid a "big price", he said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lacked "leadership" while ministers have to "bow" before Gandhi because of her "clout and influence".
"There is a serious crisis of leadership.... In a democracy the Prime Minister has the last word. That is why the Prime Minister should be such who has the most political clout and political experience.
"Accountability in a democracy is that of Prime Minister. This did not happen in this regime. This is a lesson for the future," the leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said in his lecture on "India 2020 - Challenges Ahead" here.
He said the nation needed a leadership which has 'proven ability' to steer it out of the current crisis.
"Today this nation needs a leadership which has proven ability.... In the world's largest democracy, you create a leadership on the basis of proven ability or will it become a dynastic democracyIJ"
Without taking Gandhi's name, Jaitley said she wielded more influence on the government and no one questioned her.
"Because of a particular individual, who wields so much clout and influence that even Ministers have to bow before her word and it should become the last word. No government can run like this....
"The Advisory Council is not to contest elections, but the Ministers (have to). They call for making a plan on which over Rs 20,000 crore are spent without the creation of any asset. And no one questions it. This is a structural defect in our system," Jaitley said, adding "the nation has paid a big price for this"."This nation has paid a big price for this mistake," Jaitley said.
He termed the last over nine years of UPA regime in the country as a "wasted opportunity" and said "policy paralysis" has gripped the nation which was having its effect now.
Blaming the current dispensation for "breakdown of relationship between the Opposition and the Centre", he said said it was the result of the "arrogance" of people running the government.
Jaitley said coalition politics was here to stay and the next year's general election is going to be like a Presidential contest as the third front was a "failed idea".
"Coalition governments will remain.... Regional parties to be linked with the Centre is in the interest of India's unity," he said.
The BJP leader said corruption was having its effect on society and one had to pay a heavy cost for it. Citing examples of two big scams -- the 2G spectrum allocation and coal block allocation --, he said that corruption has also contributed to the current economic situation.
Referring to the current currency crisis that had led to the fall in value of Rupee, Jaitley said, "we are spending more foreign currency and earning less of it.... When there is no attraction in our economy, then there will be problems."
Attacking the "bad governance" in the country, he said, "there were five kinds of mistakes being committed - fraud on nation's revenue, violation of law, destruction of evidence through missing files, contempt of court and breach of privilege by speaking a lie in Parliament."
On the missing files in coal block allocation case, he said clarity will be sought in Parliament when the government's reply comes as to what is the definition of missing files and whether it includes other documents and applications also.