Wistful suggestions of the synergy that could emerge from an alliance between the BJP and the Congress are sometimes voiced,from well-meaning members of the chattering classes. The idea is canvassed in the context of the fractured electoral mandates in recent years,which hampers smooth governance and the orderly functioning of Parliament. The argument is that the two rival parties have actually much in common in their economic philosophy,social composition and foreign policy. In fact,sometimes they seem to have more in common with each other than with their allies. Thats why some view the recent passing of the nuclear liability bill as a watershed of sorts the BJP cooperated with the ruling party in getting the bill through,and the government backtracked on numerous clauses to accommodate the main opposition party.
There were pressing reasons for both parties to forsake their traditionally antagonistic positions. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not hide his anxiety that the bill be cleared before US President Barack Obamas visit this November. In fact,the PM appeared more concerned about ensuring the speedy passage of the nuclear liability bill than either the proposed womens reservation bill or the food security bill that the Congress proclaims the landmark legislation of UPA-II. After days of wrangling,the ruling party agreed to drop several contentious provisions in the draft and accepted all the BJPs suggestions.
The BJP recently displayed similar maturity in eschewing its Pavlovian response of opposing every government move on the assumption that its primary role is to embarrass the government at any cost. With the nuclear liability bill,the BJP was wiser from its experience in rejecting outright the Indo-US nuclear deal of 2008,its reservations stemming largely from the fond hope that UPA-I would fall over the issue. The subsequent parliamentary poll indicated that the BJPs opportunism had alienated a large section of its middle-class,urban voters,who turned to the Congress.
It would nevertheless be far-fetched to compare this heartening instance of consultation and cooperation with examples from elsewhere,like the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives,traditional rivals,becoming partners in government in the UK. It is not really a viable option for either the Congress or the BJP to shed their longstanding prejudices and traditional rivalries,even if the Congress appeared to be batting on the same side as the BJP,by asserting that terror has no colour and declaring saffron terror a misnomer. There may be some thawing in the relationship,but one may expect to see the knives being sharpened over several contentious issues in the near future. For instance,the court judgment on the title deeds of the Babri Masjid and the decision on the perpetrators of the Godhra coach fire expected this month,are bound to see the fragile and strictly temporary truce fall apart. Significantly,while the BJP supported the civil liability bill,it effectively blocked other government legislation such as the amendments to the enemy property bill,the Wakf bill,the prevention of torture bill and the education tribunals bill in the recent Parliament session.
To retain their own constituencies and spread their influence,neither parties can afford to seem too chummy. The Congress and the BJP are direct rivals for power in most states. The formers dependence on the Gandhi dynasty and the latters subservience to the RSS ensure that the two can never tango together for long. Nevertheless,a new breed of parliamentary leaders from both parties has managed to establish some degree of personal rapport,which has transcended the traditional mistrust. The BJPs leaders in Parliament,Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj,are more open to judging individual issues on merit rather than adhering to a narrow doctrine of perennial obstructionism,which in any case meets public disapproval. The nuclear civil liability bill could portend a new era of constructive engagement in politics.
coomi.kapoor@expressindia.com
