The full form of UPA is United Progressive Alliance. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is a political coalition in India, formed in 2004, comprising several political parties. The UPA is a major political force in India, and it has governed India for two terms from 2004 to 2014. In this article, we will explore the UPA Full Form and provide an in-depth analysis of its history, ideology, and impact.
History of UPA
The United Progressive Alliance was formed in 2004, just before the General Elections in India. The alliance was formed by the Indian National Congress, which is the largest political party in India, and several regional and left-wing parties. The UPA won the elections in 2004 and formed the government with the Congress party as the dominant partner. In the 2009 General Elections, the UPA won a second term in office, continuing its rule until 2014.
Ideology of UPA
The United Progressive Alliance is a coalition of political parties that share a common ideology of secularism, social justice, and economic growth. The UPA's policies focus on providing economic and social welfare to the people, especially the poor and marginalized sections of society. The UPA believes in the principle of inclusive growth, where everyone benefits from economic development, regardless of their social or economic background. The UPA has also been committed to the welfare of farmers, workers, and other disadvantaged groups.
Parties in UPA
The United Progressive Alliance comprises several political parties, including the Indian National Congress, which is the dominant partner. Other parties in the UPA include the Nationalist Congress Party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Trinamool Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the National Conference, among others. These parties have come together to form a united front to fight against the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Achievements of UPA
The United Progressive Alliance has implemented several policies and programs that have had a significant impact on India's development. One of the major achievements of the UPA government was the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which guaranteed 100 days of employment to every rural household. The UPA government also introduced the Right to Information Act, which gave citizens the right to access information held by public authorities. Another major achievement of the UPA government was the introduction of the Food Security Act, which aimed to provide subsidized food grains to the poor and needy.
The UPA government also focused on the development of infrastructure, including the construction of roads, highways, and airports. The UPA government launched several flagship programs such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which aimed to improve the living conditions of the urban poor. The UPA government also introduced the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), which aimed to provide healthcare to rural areas.
Criticism of UPA
The United Progressive Alliance government faced criticism from various quarters, including the opposition parties and civil society groups. One of the major criticisms of the UPA government was its handling of the 2G spectrum allocation scam, which involved irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum licenses to telecom companies. The UPA government was also criticized for its handling of the Commonwealth Games scam and the Adarsh Housing Society scam.
The UPA government was also criticized for its handling of the economy, especially during its second term in office. The government was accused of policy paralysis, which led to a slowdown in economic growth. The UPA government was also criticized for its handling of the issue of corruption, which had become a major issue during its second term.