The Congress can be excused for being in the self-congratulatory mode for its so-called big bang reforms. But should India Inc be?
Considering the opposition to the latest moves from among even allies -- the DMK is not pleased at all and has said it will vote for any anti-FDI resolution, nor are the outside supporters BSP and SP any more gung ho while the Trinamool Congress has walked out -- how the Congress hopes to get the reforms past Parliament is more than any one can imagine.
It may be difficult to believe, but some clever thinking does seem to be going on in the Congress. The party itself may or may not be convinced of these measures, but it has done them seemingly to score brownie points with the masses and not to forget the India Inc and the stock market. Now, who can really blame the poor Congress and its noble intentions if these proposals flounder in Parliament?
Either naively but in good faith, or for its own purpose, India Inc seems ready not just to cheer-lead, but at Congress’ behest even willing to sell the reform idea to the opposing parties. If media reports are to be believed, that’s what Finance Minister P. Chidambaram convinced them to do when he met them the other day.
But come to think of it, can corporates, desperate as they have been waiting these many years for something to happen, really be blamed for jumping and waving the pom-poms when the Government makes the smallest and fairly obvious of moves?