I am happy to note that the "agenda for a proud, prosperous India", which is the Government's common policy document, reaffirms its faith in the principles of secularism, social justice, federal harmony, probity, and nocio-economic equity ... The Government will fully implement the promises made in its common agenda.

The armed aggression in Kargil by Pakistan to occupy strategic territory on the Indian side of the Line of Control was decisively foiled by our brave jawans, airmen, and officers. Pakistan suffered a double defeat - both on the battlefield and on the diplomatic front ...

We remain firmly committed to global nuclear disarmament on a universal and non-discriminatory basis. At the same time, the Government will ensure that India's strategic autonomy is preserved. This will be done in a way that India's legitimate security concerns are suitably addressed, in keeping with our own assessment of the evolving international security environment ...

During the current year, the Indian economy is expected to grow over six per cent. Inflation as measured by the wholesale price index is around two per cent, which in the lowest in the last two decades ...

Despite these achievements, the challenge to overcome the scourge of poverty remains a daunting one. Crores of our people, particularly in villages, are still to be provided with basic services such as clear drinking water, reasonable shelter, primary education, health services and roads. Illiteracy is still a curse for large masses of our people - especially among scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, minorities, and rural women. Millions of young men and women continue to be victims of unemployment.

The Government has decided to give topmost priority to social sector development. In the field of education, a separate department of primary education and literacy has been created. An action plan to give greater thrust to female literacy and primary education will be shortly announced. Further, a programme for provision of primary school buildings for all unserved habitations will be formulated ... A national health policy will soon be presented, whose twin aims will be the provision of adequate primary health services to all citizens and a stabilisation of population.

... The newly created department of drinking water supply in the Ministry of Rural Development will implement a programme to provide clean drinking water to all villages in the next five years ... A massive "shelter for all" programme will be taken up to facilitate construction of 20 lakh additional housing units each year. Of these, 13 lakhs will be built in rural areas.

Prosperity and employment generation in rural areas depend crucially on a fast-growing agricultural sector, complemented by a nationwide network of agro-based industries ...

The past two years have seen a marked improvement in the situation in J&K. Education, tourism, and other economic activities are fast returning to normal in this state. More than 110,000 pilgrims participated in the Amarnath Yatra this year. Nevertheless, terrorism continues to pose a challenge in J&K. We will meet this challenge firmly and provide all assistance to the state Government to neutralise terrorists.

After its crushing defeat in Kargil, Pakistan has stepped up its proxy war against India. The immediate objective of the Pakistan- sponsored terrorists was to disrupt the election process in J&K and also in the north-eastern states. The people in these states, however, have once again opted for the ballot in the face of the terrorist's bullet. This is a ringing endorsement of their faith in India's unity, secular democracy, and a rejection of theocratic separatism.

The Government will continue to focus international attention on the deadly impact of trans-border terrorism that has claimed countless lives all over the world ... My Government believes that the States should have greater financial and administrative powers and that there should be decentralisation right up to the grassroots through the Panchayati Raj system. Necessary action will soon be initiated to give full Statehood to Delhi and for the creation of Uttaranchal, Vananchal,. And Chhattisgarh as new States.

A commission comprising noted constitutional experts and public figures shall be appointed to study a half century's experience of the Constitution and make suitable recommendations to meet the challenges of the next century. The Government will also examine replacing the present system of no-confidence motion by a system of "constructive vote of non-confidence", and a fixed term to the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas ...

We are committed to safeguard the interests of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes, and minorities through appropriate legal executive and societal efforts. Our focus will be on large scale education and socio-economic empowerment ... Reservations for SCs and SCs will be extended for another 10 years and reservation percentages above 50 per cent followed by some States will be sanctified through legislative measures ... The Government will soon bring forward a comprehensive electoral reform bill to further strengthen our democracy ..

The recent military takeover in Pakistan is a matter of grave concern ... We are watching the situation in Pakistan with careful attention. We had initiated the composite dialogue process and had sought to reinforce it through the Lahore Declaration. Pakistan must stop cross-border terrorism in J&K and other regions of India, and also put an end to hostile propaganda against India.

The situation in Afghanistan demands a careful reassessment and a fresh approach ... We shall work together with like-minded countries for an early return to stability in Afghanistan. An essential requirement for this is the cessation of outside interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.

... India highly values her cordial and steadily growing relations with the countries of central Asia, west Asia, east and south-east Asia and the pacific ... (Source: The Hindu, 26 Octob -:. :999)

Muslim MLA's: Assembly Elections, 1999

1.     Karnataka

2.     Andhra Pradesh

3.     Maharashtra

Party-wise Comparative Statement (1998 - 1999) General Election

General Election, 1999: Analysis of Lok Sabha Results

The list of 32 includes A. Hamid (INC) who won from Dhubri (Assam)

Muslims in Second Position, Muslim-Concentration Seats

Other non-Concentration Seats