UPA-II shot itself in the foot, says NCP leader Praful Patel

New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel, whose party is part of UPA government, on Friday said the UPA-II government has shot itself in the foot by delaying key reforms. Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel said the UPA-II has not been able to emulate the success story of UPA-I.

"But at the same time I can admit that being on side of the government that we ourselves have been one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the way of success of the country," Patel said. Patel added UPA-I functioned well, despite it being a large coalition. "I think when we formed UPA-I, everybody just thought that it is a change of the government from NDA and therefore UPA will be a large coalition driven by left and would probably not be able to show way to the country."

"But UPA-I inspite of all the limitations could give this country a very good government, the reason why we came back and formed UPA-II," he noted. However, the UPA government in its second innings has not performed as per the expectations, he added. "But ever since we came with UPA-II, if we see the way we have been functioning and I have been a critic of my government and therefore may not be music to the ears of my colleagues. Well, I can certainly say that we on many occasions have been shooting ourselves in the foot," the minister said.

Giving examples about the delay in reforms in the key sectors in India, Patel said the power sector has been one of the most neglected ones.

Giving examples about the delay in reforms in the key sectors in India, Patel said the power sector has been one of the most neglected ones. "Say the power sector. One of the, I would say a sector with great potential. India still lives in darkness. But still we have not been able to get out of this morale. The reason is that we have built in an activism within this system. We have built in lot of roadblocks, which I think can certainly be overcome in a very very simple fashion," he added.

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