Disinvesting in sanity

The Congress Party has been out of power for so long in the state of West Bengal that it is quite understandable that some of its members like Priyaranjan Dasmunshi should behave in Parliament like habitual opposition leaders. However, the party must not forget that it is not only the only political party with the longest record of governance, it happens to be in power in more states across the country than the main ruling party at the Centre, the BJP. It is therefore regrettable that the party president, Sonia Gandhi, should allow traditional back-benchers like Dasmunshi to hijack the party on crucial economic policy issues on the floor of the House.

The party’s stance on the privatisation of public sector petroleum companies is nothing but irresponsible. When in office, Congress prime ministers have never allowed Parliament to perform the functions of the executive. So why change the rules of governance now? The legal view has been expressed by the solicitor-general that the disinvestment in public sector companies need not be discussed by Parliament. Indeed, many Congress ruled state governments have privatised public enterprises without seeking the legislature’s approval. So why this change of stance now?

The invocation of national security as an issue in the privatisation of petroleum retailing is an entirely dubious proposition. It is understandable that security issues may get raised in certain sectors and the government must heed internal warnings issued by security agencies with respect to the antecedents of Indian or foreign companies. However, petroleum retailing is not a sensitive area of business. There are no security issues nor issues of principle or parliamentary privilege involved in the privatisation of HPCL and BPCL. Rather than allow the likes of Dasmunshi to dictate party policy, Sonia Gandhi must urge the party’s better informed leaders to define policy on economic matters. The tactic of opposing in opposition what is proposed when in government, does not do any justice to the stature of a national party. The Congress is free to have its internal debates and differences aired at party forums. However, when articulating its views in Parliament, it must show consistency and responsibility.