The sad truth about all that is going on in Indian politics right now has to do with only one thing—how to achieve power. And because of this constant urge to seize power, political parties have become irresponsible in their conduct. Rather than perform their due assigned role as responsible opposition parties, these people have become restless and seem to want early election at all cost so that they can throw their chances to come back to power. The next General Election in India is due in 2014 but as mentioned the Opposition parties led by the BJP cannot wait for the Congress led UPA II to complete its term. While no one is defending the incompetence or corruption within the present regime in Delhi, yet the Congress had been returned to power by the people of India and it is only fair that the government of the day is allowed to function so that the duty of ruling the country can be fulfilled. The Opposition has every right to question decisions of the government. However this has to be done in a constructive manner without compromising the overall functioning of the government because at the end of the day the government is answerable to the people and it must perform its duties. Now in the last few years especially during the UPA II regime, the work of the government has been stalled. Parliament has not been allowed to work and we have had important bills and policy initiatives getting stuck in the political wrangling. And because of this logjam India is losing out in the global race.
Today it is the Congress heading the government at the Centre. Tomorrow it could be the BJP or still others like the Trinamool Congress, BSP, SP, AIADMK etc. Running a government is the prerogative of the party in power. The voting public in India will decide whether the government of the day has done its job or not. The Opposition should not assume that it is not accountable to the people. After all they will also have to go to the people. Voters will see what their contribution has been. Also when in Opposition or out of power, it is very easy to oppose (for the sake of opposing). There is a lot of idealism and myth surrounding the Opposition parties in India. When they also get the mandate to run a government they will soon realize that it is a completely different ball game. In government you will have to work not just as per your party manifesto or wish but in the interest of the country as a whole. Also pragmatism and not idealism will be expected of those who run a government. One will have to learn to work through dialogue, resolution and consensus and not what is happening to India’s Parliament—non-cooperation, confrontation and in the process not allowing any work to be done. At the end of the day the concern is that the Opposition parties seem to be so hell bent on bringing down the Congress led UPA government and forcing upon the country a costly mid-term election, which actually does in no way guarantee the political stability that is required for governance to take place. Who knows, there could be a hung Parliament and it will be back to jostling for power. As such rather than risking a pre-mature election on the people of India, the Opposition should show patience and wait for 2014 to defeat the Congress at the people’s court. This will be fair and honorable for everyone.
