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Journalism of Courage
As the wasted monsoon session drew to an end,the BJP tried to deflect blame for the loss of parliamentary time,in terms of precious hours lost,as well as the larger cost of withholding critical legislation. It claimed that this stand would be vindicated when its protest over coal allocation results in tangible gain,and that it will now take the campaign to the streets. The BJP has every right to attack and oppose the government when it has a genuine contention but Parliament is the primary arena for this combat.
Instead of bringing the matter of coal block allocations for debate in the House and exposing the governments allegedly suspect decision-making,the BJP emphatically shunned that route it held up legislative functioning,shouted down any attempt at communication. It wanted nothing less than the prime ministers resignation. It asks for the de-allocation of all coal blocks recently assigned an untenable proposition,because of the industrial projects that depend on the decision and the uncertainty it would induce,not to mention the arbitrariness of choosing a cut-off date for these allotments and penalising above-board firms. The BJP knows that this is the maximalist version of recompense to seek,but refuses to dilute its demands. It claims that only relentless pressure yields results,pointing to the 2G scandal as an example. And yet,there were at least three sustained parliamentary discussions on 2G,which helped bring into the public domain a more fine-grained understanding of what dodgy decisions were taken,and who benefited. In this case,the BJP has simply raised a furore without providing any proof or argument in the House. It has refused to engage. And now,it threatens to extend this campaign to the streets,carried aloft by a presumed popular rage against corruption.
