Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seems content to ‘run’ the nation on an annual basis from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, while the Opposition fulfils its duties vicariously, this time from Bhuj! No wonder the elected representatives have little use for Parliament, a forum where they could have articulated the angst and concerns of the beleaguered aam aadmi.
It is a sad state of affairs when one Parliament session after another is a washout. The onus of pulling up the Government for its acts of omission and commission, for discussing issues of national importance is on the Opposition. But the Opposition has failed the common man.
Senior leaders from the national parties, into election mode, are banking more on lung power than on their wisdom. Amid the rhetoric and cacophony, the lone voice of the veteran, lK Advani, on this Independence Day, for the need to reset our perspectives, is a welcome throw-back on what enduring and sane leadership should be all about.