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Journalism of Courage
The BJP-led NDA clearly does not know that you must call off a bad strategy before it becomes infinitely worse. Ever since the day the 14th Lok Sabha first met, the main Opposition party, or alliance of parties, has teetered on the line that separates the rightfully oppositional behavior from the petulant and obstructionist. But the NDA must be warned. Its latest strategy to boycott all parliamentary committees 8212; 8216;8216;unless8230;8217;8217; 8212; may well be construed as confirmation that it is finally keeling over, or is determined to. This is the elevation of threat-mongering into parliamentary strategy. It lays the NDA, and particularly the BJP, open to the charge that its unending pique at being pipped to the post by the Congress-led UPA is now showing up as something far more menacing. It is beginning to look like the Opposition is showing disrespect to the institutions and principles of parliamentary democracy.
There is no denying that each of the issues involved 8212; be it the UPA8217;s 8216;8216;tainted ministers8217;8217;, the fitful removal of governors, or the dismal saga of the fugitive minister 8212; is provocative. Each provided an apt moment to call the government to account. In all honesty, in our polity, each also provided the opportunity for a broader soul-searching by parties across the political spectrum. Instead, the people of India have been treated to successive walkouts and adjournments and the callous frittering away of precious parliamentary time. Now, they must watch the decapitation of the parliamentary committees that are expected to work during the parliamentary recess. These committees help Parliament to scrutinise and vet budgetary proposals and demands for grants for ministries before the Lok Sabha votes on them. The Opposition has a crucial role to play in these committees. By staying away from them, it cripples parliamentary scrutiny.
