NEW DELHI: Surprisingly, Congress, instead of stabilizing the situation for itself, attempted to destabilize the NDA government in the very first session of the 18th Lok Sabha.
Rahul Gandhi’s debut as the Leader of Opposition and Congress’ aggressive approach in the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha may have appeared to be impressive to supporters, but may cost the Congress in the long run. Nevertheless, it’s an irrefutable fact that Congress is being lauded for the way it has conducted itself. For the first time in 20 years, at the start of his fifth phase in politics, Rahul 5.0 has assumed a Constitutional role as the Leader of the Opposition, bringing hope for change.
After securing 99 seats, Rahul Gandhi’s aggressive stance implies that his target is to unseat Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon. He carried his aggressive campaign rhetoric into the Lok Sabha, but his attack on BJP as being violent Hindus, has given the BJP and RSS the opportunity to return to polarization politics. Although the BJP had moved away from these tactics in the last Lok Sabha elections, they are now likely to intensify them again, influencing the upcoming elections
Rahul’s statements on PM Modi are seen to be influencing Congress leaders in the states. In Rajasthan, opposition leader Tikaram Jully has tried to please the high command by making controversial comments against the PM in the Assembly. Julie seems to have forgotten that last year the BJP had won the Assembly elections by campaigning on Congress decisions that were seen as anti Hindu.
The opposition successfully stopped the BJP from getting a majority by claiming that it would end reservation. Following the election results, Congress viewed the outcome as a victory, even though the NDA alliance comfortably formed government with 293 seats. Surprisingly, Congress, instead of stabilizing the situation for itself, attempted to destabilize the NDA government in the very first session of the 18th Lok Sabha.
Congress, initially focused on promoting caste politics under the guise of constitutional issues, faced a setback when the President’s address condemned the Emergency as an attack on the Constitution. The Speaker’s condemnation further complicated matters for Congress. Consequently, Rahul Gandhi shifted his strategy in the Lok Sabha, attacking the BJP on Hindutva instead of constitutional issues. His 90-minute speech addressed past attacks on him and his party but included points that Prime Minister Modi and the BJP used to target Congress and the Gandhi family.
Rahul Gandhi and Congress have initiated practices that may prove detrimental in the future, such as disrupting Prime Minister Modi’s speech in the Lok Sabha. This unprecedented move by the Leader of the Opposition may result in Rahul facing similar interruptions in future sessions. Similarly, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, walked out during Modi’s speech.
In response, PM Modi and the BJP highlighted instances of constitutional tampering during Congress rule and have yet to open cases related to violence. The BJP previously won the Rajasthan elections by focusing on violence during Congress rule and may now raise issues of violence in states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Bengal, Rajasthan, and the Delhi riots of 1984.
If the BJP continues with polarization politics, the Opposition will face increased challenges. In upcoming elections in states like Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, the BJP is likely to maintain its polarization strategy. Meanwhile, Congress and the opposition have shifted their focus away from common issues like inflation, unemployment, corruption, and farmers, which were largely ignored in Parliament.