Selling people’s issues: Populist measures from an anti-populist Candidate
October 22, 2005The Hindu (October 14, 2005) reported: Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the Opposition United National Party (UNP) and one of the two major contenders for presidency recently proposed populist measures including more jobs and a promise to check deficit financing in his manifesto, said one of the main problems was the rising cost of living.
“The main issue are people’s issues,” he said. His manifesto, which he said was the “People’s Agenda” has three key slogans — defeat hunger, end unemployment and prevent separatism.
The manifesto identified “irresponsible and limitless printing of money” as the reason for the rising cost of living. He promised not to print currency to meet deficits, while taking steps to “strengthen the rupee and reduce the increase in cost of living.” He has also listed prices at which essential commodities such as milk powder and lentils would be sold.
The main business news agency in Colombo, Bloomberg also noted:
“Wickremesinghe has pledged to reduce the price of essential food items, including milk powder, and provide fertilizer subsidies and price guarantees to farmers. He will also try to boost the economic growth rate to 10 percent in a bid to create new jobs and lift incomes, according to his manifesto.”
