It’s about prioritising the nation
Mr Modi’s ‘Team India’ comment was about rising above the party line and party politics once in power. He was talking about the commonality of purpose… making states a part of the national team...
Iam very hopeful and positive that the Centre and the states can become partners under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Team India” vision. It will help in strengthening governance in the country irrespective of which party a state belongs to.
Mr Modi’s “Team India” comment was about rising above the party line and party politics once in power. He was talking about the commonality of purpose, inter-personal harmony, equal motivation of all parties without doubting each other’s intentions. All these characteristics can evolve only when all the team members take ownership.
Take the implementation of Goods and Services Tax, for example, where difference of opinions could exist but everyone should be mindful of the fact that it has been brought in keeping national interest in mind. If this is clear then there is scope for dialogue, some give and take between the Centre and the state. “Ownership of the issue” means owning the governance of the entire country and not limiting yourself to the state only.
Of course, similar demands will be made by state governments. But Mr Modi is not ignoring the states’ needs. Just as the Centre expects some kind of coordination with state governments, the same is expected from the Centre.
If you observe carefully, Mr Modi is talking about federalism, he is approaching the state governments and trying to build a rapport with chief ministers. Had this not been his approach, there was no need to advise Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on health. Mr Modi spoke to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed about his apprehensions regarding this new-era alliance. Mr Modi even discussed an issue related to Bangladesh with Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi. It’s this group ownership that he is calling “Team India”.
We agree that there are inter-state problems. But these issues have not come up so far in discussions. If the Centre and a state can become partners, then why can’t two states come together on certain subjects? Issues between states will be resolved gradually because the present politics is the politics of performance. State governments have to deliver at the end of the day.
It is expected that common subjects, questions of national interest will dominate the Centre-state relations, like GST, infrastructure, water-related projects, enhancing agriculture production. Such topics will be given priority by “Team India”, as they are the most important ones.
Our government is giving more leg room to the states. There’s no reason for the state governments to feel any insecurity from the Centre. The previous Congress government had also talked about the Centre-state relations, but the resources handed over to the states were very poor. Now, under Mr Modi’s leadership, a truly federal set-up is being evolved. We are trying to make the states a part of the national team and they are happy to get more resources from the Centre.
Take the example of the ministry of development of north-eastern region. Set up during Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s government, the ministry was a victim of apathy during the UPA government. Now it has taken off again.
Jitendra Singh, Union minister of development for north-eastern region, has been visiting all the Northeast states and is committed to the development of the region. In short, Mr Modi’s “Team India” vision is pragmatic and will evolve good governance in the country.