Sanjaya Baru’s article “Growth, stability and corruption” (July 11) presented a good case for political stability as a necessary ingredient for economic growth. However, stability alone cannot fuel economic growth unless it is accompanied by appropriate political skills in ruling leaders. P V Narasimha Rao ran a minority government but his political competence made him a pioneer of economic reforms. Compared to Rao, the present prime minister has a more stable government, but his lack of political acumen makes him vulnerable to the vagaries of supporting parties.
Indeed corruption is less inimical to growth than instability is. However, poverty and low income levels are no grounds for tolerating corruption. As C K Prahalad said, a nation has to be honest first before it aspires to become rich.
Y G Chouksey, Pune
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