I.N.D.I.A. looked ineffective during the Parliament monsoon session. Issues like price rise, unemployment, farmers’ sufferings were missing in the no-trust motion discussion.
NEW DELHI
As the Opposition’s alliance—I.N.D.I.A.—failed to make its presence felt during the monsoon session of Parliament, the Congress needs to focus more on consolidating its own position using the “oxygen” given by its victory in Karnataka. Undoubtedly, the Opposition looked a bit confused in the just concluded session of Parliament.
The rationale behind the no-trust motion against the government is beyond comprehension. The motion did not benefit the Congress politically. The no-confidence debate gave the government the much-needed opportunity to tear into the Congress and its past governments for alleged “corruption”.
Secondly, the Manipur incident gave BJP a chance to point fingers at the “law and order” situation in Rajasthan. The BJP, which did not have any issue against the government in Rajasthan, seized the opportunity provided by the no-trust motion to hit out at the Congress regime over law and order problems, especially women safety issues, in the poll-bound state.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s speech on the no-confidence motion was also disappointing, though he tried to sound a bit enthusiastic. After concluding his speech, Rahul Gandhi abruptly left the House, which marked lack of seriousness on his part. Meanwhile, his speech was overshadowed by the “flying kiss” controversy. Strategists in fact erred here. The date of Rahul’s speech, which was 8 August, should not have been changed. If he had initiated the debate, he could have done some critical analysis of the government’s policies. But he had to deliver his speech in haste due to his Rajasthan tour. The issues like price rise, unemployment and farmers were missing. The Opposition focused only on Manipur violence, during which mud-slinging was seen in Parliament. The walkout decision was also beyond comprehension.
Meanwhile, BJP’s strategy was better than the Opposition’s. Needless to say, there is no dearth of leaders in BJP who communicate effectively in Hindi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is himself a good orator. The PM spoke for over two hours and ripped into Congress and its allies reminding the nation of several “scams and wrong policies” during past governments. A day earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah showcased the government’s achievements and pointed out scams of the UPA and Congress governments.
The leaders of the poll-bound states were given a chance to speak in a message to the voters of these states. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia attacked the Congress and alliance and showcased the government’s achievements. He displayed full faith in the BJP leadership now, signalling that the reports about his possible return to Congress are baseless. Scindia came heavily down on the Gandhi family in a signal that there is no question of him going back to the Congress fold. He also lauded the work of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, giving a message to his supporters.
Likewise, MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore lambasted the government in Rajasthan. He tried to touch upon the issues having overtones of “Hindu-Muslim politics”. He also raised the “women safety” issue of Rajasthan. So, the BJP tried to use the monsoon session to suit its politics in the poll bound states. Congress on the contrary could not take any advantage.
In another development, the Government defeated the opposition’s move to corner it on the Delhi services bill. The Opposition’s I.N.D.I.A. could not remain intact in Rajya Sabha. The government got more votes than expected in the Upper House while getting the Delhi services bill passed. Congress’ growing proximity with AAP is also not understandable at a time when anti-incumbency is gaining momentum against Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. Punjab Congress leaders are also upset due to the high command’s closeness with AAP. In fact, the Congress has started focusing on the Opposition’s politics instead of consolidating its own position. It seems to be missing the opportunity to cash in on the momentum that was created by its victory in Karnataka.
Congress has to face a challenge in the elections of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana in November. These polls will have bearing on next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Congress is in direct fight with BJP in the states barring Telangana. No ally of I.N.D.I.A. can bring vote for Congress in these states. The Manipur issue is also not going to benefit Congress in these states. Local issues and local level leaders will only work for it.