Dear Opposition,
I will begin with congratulating you. For being the other half, without which our Legislative Assembly is incomplete.Today, India shall welcome the 16th Lok Sabha. Oaths have been taken, affirmations made, portfolios allotted, ministries taken. The majority is naturally, glowing in victory. But I hope, this time you, like always, aren't retorting to the blame game because you've lost.
India is happy today. With hopes and aspirations. And trust in our choice, in the promises they made. But do you remember, you too had made similar promises to us? That. Will you stand up to the task assigned to you by us to hold the government accountable? How effective will you be in that? Like the outgoing government, will you also adopt an adversarial approach and push us and the media in vacuum? The fifteenth Lok Sabha since our independence, has been the worst performing one in a record 50 years. The United Progressive Alliance coalition proved itself to be one of the most tainted and corrupt alliance to govern our nation. However, I'd dismiss the idea of placing the entire blame on them. It is important to question the Opposition's indifferent approach in performing its responsibility - providing constructive criticism. This report shows the real picture of Parliament's performance. And do you, opposition, see what last opposition did?
They let only 61% time allocated to be used productively. On the other 39% time, news headlines read: “India’s parliament paralyzed by inflation protests”
“Nation loses Rs 13,000 crore; Opposition to continue stir”“Opposition disrupts parliament over price rise”“BJP leader calls Lalu and Mulayam, dogs”.
And oh, how do we forget the chilli pepper, table chair in the air scenes?It wasn't necessary. Is it too much on our part, to ask you behave in a civilized manner? Could you notshow your difference of opinion by engaging in a meaningful dialogue? Is our demand to see our MPs challenging bills inside parliament and not on Dharnas, too much to ask?
We do not expect to see that anymore. Do you promise it on your part?Do you promise that you shall treat the limits of Lok Sabha as democratic house that sorts and solves contrasts, unearth scams and demand accountability?
Do you promise to not use your chair in the Opposition to disrupt and damage the respect of that very lace?
Had the CAG calculated the total time lost due to disruptions with notion value, the net loss would be no less that that due the 2G scam. Do you promise you wouldn't let the government fool us by any next Lok Sabha collective disruption scam?
Would you ensure that any move by government to divide the nation on the grounds of religion and caste
doesn't yield fruitful? Promise, because we are used to it.
As a citizen of the nation, everytime I switch on Rajsabha TV or Lok Sabha TV, I expect to see quality debates, passage of bills, issues discussed in party's manifesto. Unfortunately in past, this expectation was butchered badly by the Lok Sabha. The last tenure, only 179 out of 328 bills were passed as compared to 297 and 248 bills in previous two Lok Sabha respectively. We would still consider it a decent number. But what wasn't decent was that the 64 bills of 179 were debated for less than 30 minutes. Of which, 20 bills were given a meager time of 5 minutes for 'debate'When I compare this time with time these leader's spent on the podium begging for votes and making promises to get us on their side, I feel cheated. Do you promise that you wouldn't let us get cheated again?Do you promise you won't make Parliament, a space to make personal potshots for your gains?Will you ensure our faith is not shattered from the system all over again?Do you promise you shall not paralyze the Parliament any more? Promise, because we are used to it.
I was baffled when none of the contesting parties in their manifestos mentioned their role if they come in the Opposition. Why such ignorance towards our Constitution and Parliament? If you missed to recall what your role now on would be, given that you'll be shattered by your defeat as you call it, here is something you could go through. And here itself I'd let you know that you were voted by the public as Opposition, similarly, like we voted them for being our government.
“A kite flies against the wind, not with it.”
― Winston Churchill
Now, do you promise to serve to the Parliament and hence the nation with all your heart, contributing your bit for the welfare of the country?
Promise, because we are used to it. Cheers and wishes!
A hopeful
