The BJP was one, the Left another headache for the UPA. The ruling coalition may now have to protect another flank. Some Independent and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha are planning to pool resources and form a platform in order to present a more coherent alternative forum on social, political and economic issues.Industrialists Rahul Bajaj, Rajeev Chandrashekhar and Vijay Mallya, hotelier Lalit Suri, filmmaker Shyam Benegal, scientist Dr K Kasturirangan, former Reserve Bank governor Bimal Jalan, and former Maharashtra governor PC Alexander are among 16 MPs who hope to have a significant say on the floor of the Upper House. Says Suri: “We are an independent, unattached group that would like to have a more forceful and meaningful voice in Parliament. As Independent MPs, we are barely allowed two-three minutes to talk, but we would like to make a better impact.’’However, many of these MPs are yet to commit themselves to the forum despite the flurry of activity, beginning with a dinner at industrialist and Shiv Sena MP Raj Kumar Dhoot’s residence last week. If the forum does indeed articulate an autonomous voice, there could be reverberations inside parties that proposed the names of the nominated and Independent members in the first place. But this concern is waved away by Dr Jalan, who says, “Look, this is no fancy or upbeat political group which wants to work as a pressure point. It is simply a practical way of of raising a collective voice on issues.”But would anything come out of such a move? An MP said, “Many before us have made similar attempts to forge a group like this, but they have failed because of lack of focus or fear of retribution from the parties that nominated them. We are clear about the objectives of this group—evolve a consensus on topics that matter, and cut out a clear voice on the subject.”The MPs hope to raise issues at least once every session, about four times every year, they say. Says a member grandiosely: “This is a high-level group, possessing a calibre of a different kind, as it comprises corporate heads, intellectuals and professionals. They possess a calibre beyond reproach. We don’t belong to political parties, we simply want to make a difference.”
