10 SOCIAL SCIENTIST
unmistakably reveal the prevailing discontent and anger with the Congress Party and the Congress-run central and state governments* The Congress governments in particular, have chosen repression as the means of meeting people's agitation and struggle, as is clear from the indiscriminate use of DIR and MISA as mentioned earlier, and their attempt to divert attention by deliberately prompting and promoting chauvinistic, regional and separatist tendencies in many parts of the country and by accmg as a silent spectator of the rising incidence of communal violence.
The year 1973, thus, will be recorded in the history of India as the year in which the bankrupt capitalist-landlord policies of the ruling party, masquerading under the slogan of ^Garibi Hatao' and 'Indira Socialism' were completely exposed. The so-called New Wave which was mystified in public image through aggressive advertising, (financed by Goenkas and other monopoly houses, high-level operators of black money, traders and landlords) and publicity through the All India Radio and the monopoly press, has now given way to the rising wave of discontent of the people against the Congress government led by Indira Gandhi.
Within a short span of 15 months, President's Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution has been proclaimed in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. No doubt, the law and order situation in the wake of the separatist 'Mulki Rules' agitation in Andhra Pradesh and the revolt of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) in Uttar Pradesh were the excuses recorded in the reports of the Governors to the President of India justifying the imposition of President's rule; but it was clear from the political events preceding the proclamation of President's Rule that the real causes were the sickening corruption in political and administrative circles, the in-fights within the faction-ridden Congress Party and the inability of the central leadership of the Congress to impose even the rudimentary forms of party discipline on their own followers. About 28 per cent of the Indian population, or about 15.38 crores of people out of a total population of 54.79 crores are today subjected to President's Rule. The will of the people as expressed in the legislatures and control of the elected representatives on the administration of the states have thus been negated.
The deteriorating economic situation has its parallel in the perpet-ual-infights in the state governments for control of the purse strings. The rising mass resistance is attempted to be met by a one-party one-person dictatorship through the repressive machinery of the police and bureaucracy. It is heartening to note, however, that a sense of unity is developing among the left parties and particularly in the trade union movement led by them. Thet ask is to develop a viable left and democratic front capable of channelising the discontent of the people in an effective manner.