INDIA-PAKISTAN
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has correctly estimated the sentiments of the Indian people when she decided to hold general elections at an earlier date. The resulting landslide victory of Nehru’s daughter has convinced everyone, even the greatest skeptics, of her popularity among the masses and her statesmanship.
None of her opponents, including Morarji Desai, has so much as threatened her position in any way. With this overwhelming victory Mrs Gandhi has now a free hand to establish the brand of socialism her late father had so long fought for. Her immediate goal is simple : to wipe out the gap between the rich and poor.
India is now in for a calm political climate, so essential to make the attainment of that goal possible.
On the other hand, the situation in the neighbouring country, Pakistan is getting from bad to worse. The aftermath of elections in this country could be fatal if its leaders are not led by the greatest wisdom in their actions. Pakistan, like so many other developing nations before including Indonesia, is facing the infantile disease of regional oposition to power of the centre. With two-thirds of its 120 million population living in the eastern part and earning the state more than the western part, the former claims greater say in the apropriation of funds. The elections have clearly shown the will of the majority.
It’s everyone’s hope here that Pakistan be spared the bloody excesses of political upheavals that have been experienced by many developing nations. Let wisdom and restraint prevail.
Reference : The Indonesian Observer, 15.03.1971