The Road Not Taken: Rajaji’s Blueprint vs. Nehru’s Socialism
The article aims to discuss how C. Rajagopalachari’s liberal blueprint for economic development suited more for the country than the socialist policies of Nehru and Indira Gandhi between 1950-1980. Both Nehru-Indira Gandhi led governments laid emphasis on state controlled economic model with major features like Central Planning, Bank Nationalisation, Industrial Control through pro-socialist laws and regulations. C Rajagopalachari and his party which he formed later on, Swatantra Party mandated free economy, liberal economic model with less or minimal government intervention. We had an economic growth of 3 . 5 percent from 1950-1980 by following the Nehru-Indira Economic Model. Had India followed the path of Swatantra Party/C Rajagopalachari, India would have emerged as a nation with faster economic growth, less poverty as well as a prominent economic power like other East Asian Countries. Nehru ’s and Indira’s Socialist Model : Let’s firs...