Reforms to progress within coalition polity: Ahluwalia

Mysore, July 31 (UNI) Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today expressed confidence the reforms process in the country will progress within the framework of a coalition polity.

Talking to newspersons after inaugurating the fourth Software Development Centre of Infosys here, he said reforms could not be designed by half-a-dozen bureaucrats/technocrats.

He said India was very diverse and had a plural society. Even when a signle party government existed, different views were expressed reflecting the pluralism of the society.

He said coalition polity might ''somewhat slow down the process of reforms, but I will not say it is unfortunate.'' Stating there was a need for wider participation to make the reform process successful, Mr Ahluwalia said ''I am quite sure that within the existing framework, reforms will make a significant progress. That is the challenge for the system and coalition.'' Stating there would not be any overnight miracle, he said the country would make a stready progress and India could grow at 8.5 per cent on an average.

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