Oppn lost power due to disunity; Congress' problems need remedying: Amartya Sen
India has lost much of its power due to disunity, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen said the Congress has many organisational problems that need remedying. In an interview with PTI, Sen said that a caste census might be an exercise to consider, but India needs greater empowerment for the underprivileged through better education, healthcare, and gender equity.
The noted economist said he is «enormously proud» to be a citizen of a democratic country like India, but there is a need to «work harder to enhance the nation's democratic nature».
Sen said the opposition bloc INDIA failed to gain much traction, with its important allies such as JD(U) and RLD walking out.
When asked what the Opposition lacks in taking on the BJP, he said, «The Opposition in India lost a lot of its power due to its disunity. Unity would have given it much more strength.»
«Congress has many organisational problems that need remedying. The party's great past should inspire it,» he said.
Sen was also critical of the BJP-led NDA government over its economic policies.
He claimed that widespread illiteracy and extraordinary gender inequality make it difficult for the poor in India to progress.
«India's ruling classes tend to look after the interests of the rich. Widespread illiteracy, commonly shared ill health, and extraordinary gender inequality make it difficult for the Indian poor to progress,» he said.
Moody's Analytics on Friday projected India's economy to expand by 6.1 per cent in 2024, lower than the 7.7 per cent growth witnessed in 2023.
