THE response of the Opposition camp to the news that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) may be inching closer to a two-third majority in the Rajya Sabha, is simply perverse, to say the least. Though the NDA will have to cover much distance to reach the two-thirds mark, possibilities have emerged of such a development. While the nation watches the unfolding of these developments, the Opposition is denouncing the NDA for trying to achieve one-sided dominance of the parliamentary process by working for two-third majority in both the Houses of Parliament -- the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

 

While the two-thirds mark in the Lok Sabha appears rather too distant for the NDA, the same in Rajya Sabha appears to be more feasible. The Opposition is trying to label the growing strength of the NDA as a mark of one-sidedness of the dominance of the BJP through usurpation of all levers of power. Such an accusation is not just unfortunate, but also indicative of the intellectual and political immaturity of the Opposition camp. The desire of any party to achieve as many seats as possible in any elected House is perfectly natural and legitimate. The BJP, too, is trying to achieve bigger numbers in Parliament’s both Houses through legitimate means -- taking advantage of the current uncertainties in the Opposition camp -- which, too, is perfectly normal and legitimate for any political party in a democratic system. The current developments point to stronger possibilities of the NDA going closer to the two-thirds mark in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament. Sensing that the Government may get stronger soon, the Opposition is crying itself hoarse -- insisting that the NDA is trying to abuse its superior position to weaken the democratic process. This charge makes no sense on the ground of reality.

 

Yet, the Opposition ideologues are trying to market an idea that the Government would distort the constitutional process once it achieves two-thirds majority and may hurt the country’s democratic ethos. They also accuse the NDA of trying to play all dirty tricks in their kitty to weaken the Opposition camp by showering favours on their members. These charges, of course, make no sense at all, as even a street urchin would know. Yet, Opposition ideologues are engaging themselves in shameless and utterly false propaganda against the NDA and the Modi-Government. That they are doing so much to their own peril, is common knowledge. Yet, the Opposition leaders appear to have gone blind with rage of their consistent failure to find favour with the people and are engaged in nonsensical talks. It is clear that the I.N.D.I A. conclave in New Delhi was nothing short of a political disaster. No matter the tall and loud talk of Opposition unity, etc, the Opposition Alliance appears to be a sinking ship.

 

Many of its major constituents such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) or the Dravida Munetra Kazagham (DMK) have left the Alliance, and entities like Mr. Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP) appear disinterested in working together in a serious manner. With the Opposition camp thus is tatters, the NDA’s political managers are appropriately active to extract the best possible advantage of the weaknesses of the I.N.D.I.A. grouping. The Opposition leadership appears scared of dangerous possibilities looming large over the horizon. Hence their cribbing and complaining -- with little relevance to reality on the ground, with no regard to truth, and with no connection with the common people who are the voters. Their cribbing against the aggressive posturing of the NDA appears to have stemmed from their own weaknesses which they have not been able to rectify over the past 10-12 years. Only time will tell when the NDA actually achieves the two-thirds marks at least in the Rajya Sabha -- and later in the Lok Sabha. But the Opposition is alarmed beyond words and is indulging only in loose talk.