NDA facing UPA-like crisis of credibility

A combined Opposition proposes to target the Modi Government in the ensuing Monsoon Session of Parliament. It is predictable even before the three-week session begins on July 21, that it will be a washout. The Government may have a tough time. It will have to face an aggressive Opposition. 

Unfortunately, even if the Congress-led Opposition wants to tone down its stand, it cannot afford to do so, as it is perceived that disruption is their hallmark. After all, this was just what the BJP had done to the Congress-led UPA for the past 10 years. It’s just that the players have reversed their roles with a nuanced repositioning.

The Congress, which was still licking its wounds after its humiliating defeat in the 2014 poll, had never expected that it would get such a bouquet of issues to raise against the BJP Government so early in its tenure. The present crisis is an opportune time for the Congress to bring the ‘secular’ parties together. 

It’s not just the Congress that is capitalising on the BJP’s woes. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar too has targeted the alleged ‘tainted’ BJP leaders in the run-up to the Bihar election. Even the Aam Aadmi Party is planning to launch a nationwide campaign against the BJP. The BJP is at the receiving end even from within its own ranks. The demand for the removal of four BJP women leaders will hold up the Monsoon Session unless the Narendra Modi Government acts. 

It all began with the demand for resignation of Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj for her alleged involvement in helping former IPl chief lalit Modi. Then came the revelations involving the favours done by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to Mr lalit Modi. Added troubles for Ms Raje came with the disclosure that her son Dushyant Singh was the beneficiary of investments of over `11 crore made by Mr lalit Modi at a rather high premium. 

Also, recently, a Delhi court took cognisance of a complaint against the Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on the falsification of her educational qualifications. Added to this is the allegation that Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde cleared contracts worth `206 crore for the State’s Women and Child Welfare Department illegally, without inviting tenders. The Opposition accuses them of alleged corruption, dishonesty, impropriety as well as the violation of constitutional office. Although the BJP is adopting a brazen attitude now, the party has to take into account the political cost of the present crisis and how it will affect its image. All these have come at a time when the Government and the party can ill afford them. 

More than the Parliament Session, the crisis will have a greater impact on the Bihar Assembly election, where high stakes are involved.  Second, what is at stake is that the ensuing Monsoon Session is important for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reform agenda. A washout would mean Mr Modi’s second wave of economic reform — both the Goods and Service Tax Bill as well as the ordinance promulgated for the third time in place of the land acquisition Bill — are in jeopardy. 

This brings us to the real question: Is the Opposition’s strategy to stall business, the right approachIJ No doubt the Opposition has to function as a watchdog. Earlier, the spirit of debate and discussion was well followed, and Parliament functioned smoothly. The negative spiral started during Rajiv Gandhi’s time when his ‘shouting brigade’ against then Prime Minister VP Singh used lung power. Also, with the live telecast of the proceedings, the Members of Parliament seem to believe that disruption gets them more focus. 

First, the Opposition should realise that it can resort to street-fight on political issues, but Parliament is meant for debate and discussion and to put the Government on the mat if things go wrong. Second, the Congress should practise what it has preached when in power and allow the House to run. If the four BJP Ministers have done anything wrong, let the courts decide.

Above all, the attitude of the BJP needs to be one of give-and-take. It is the Government’s responsibility to run the business of the House. But indications are that the Government is willing to sacrifice the Monsoon Session rather than find a way out. This attitude will not resolve the problem. Mr Modi, who came riding on a high moral horse, needs to assure the public of the Government’s integrity. A passive approach will make the NDA look no different from the UPA.