Anil Anand
It is almost a fortnight that monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20, the logjam between the ruling dispensation and the agitated opposition continues till date with no signs of let up. Neither the government nor the opposition seems to be in any mood to budge from their stated positions. What intrigues most, till date, is total disregard of Parliament by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has ignored the demand for making a statement on Manipur situation and in the process the opposition’s demand for a debate on the issue under a particular rule has been stonewalled in both the Houses.
The hardening of positions particularly by the ruling configuration seems to have a lot to do with the coming poll season. The next round of assembly elections including important states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh to be followed by the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, are crucial both for Modi and the opposition though for different reasons.
It is ironic that while a debate over the issue in Parliament seems nearly impossible as the monsoon session is drawing to close later this month, all efforts look to be to put a cap on the entire issue. An ineffective chief minister N Biren Singh has been allowed to continue even after serious strictures passed by the Supreme Court which is currently hearing the matter. The only initiative taken by the Centre, as put forth before the Apex Court, is expressing their willingness to handover the case to the CBI.
Even an observation by the Supreme Court during the course of a hearing that Manipur situation reflects a Constitutional failure, the Centre seems to be in no mood to take any action that could instill confidence not only among the warring ethnic groups but also the nation as a whole. Or else, how could the continuation of Mr Singh as chief minister be justified despite a drama enacted by him wherein his supporters snatched the resignation letter from him and tore it publicly. In the same vein there is no justification behind Prime Minister giving a short shrift to the opposition demand for a statement by him followed by a debate in Parliament.
Not that the Parliament has not witnessed such a continuous ruckus earlier on. It is not happening for the first time but what makes the current episode look different and serious is the fact that Manipur located in the sensitive North-East region is burning and the miscreants going on arson and killing spree at will. It is also for the first time, as on earlier occasions Prime Ministers including Atal Behari Vajpayee had participated in debates held under Rule 267 in the face of serious happenings, that Prime Minister Mr Modi is not obliging the opposition in this connection.
Whether a debate is ultimately held under this rule or not is a different question. What it signifies and reiterates that this government has a different take on issues of governance as well as the parliamentary practices. It is well within its rights to think and strategize differently on these issues, but no government can run away from its basic responsibilities both in terms of ensuring unity and integrity of the country and, of course, democratic and parliamentary practices.
It is baffling that the current logjam has been allowed to continue and no visible effort has been made by the government to resolve the situation. Political parties do indulge in posturing in parliament particularly when the election season is ahead, but no one has the right to look the other way and calculate only in terms of electoral benefits when a part of the country was in trouble and that all eyes were rivetted on government and the parliament.
A counter-offensive by the government, which is currently a new norm, is not always the way to score brownie points or as means of exhibiting strength. The strength of a government in a democratic polity lies in its ability to resolve issues through debates and accommodating counter views. Certainly, there is no scope in all this for sitting on false prestige.
Politics, though an important part of democracy, should not get precedence over either the parliamentary practices or matters of governance. Unfortunately, this principle is sought to be turned over its head which does not augur well for democracy.
This is high time that the government acts to break the logjam in parliament and the prime minister himself has a pivotal role to play. Given his enviable and dominant position both as head of the government and a key figure of ruling BJP, it is Mr Modi alone who could help diffuse the situation.
What is the harm if he willingly makes a statement on Manipur situation in both the Houses of Parliament? This will considerably ease the tempers and help arriving at an understanding regarding holding the debate under a mutually agreeable rule or clause.
It is also in the interest of the government to help break the parliamentary logjam and act before Supreme Court moved forward on Manipur. It is necessary for supremacy of Parliament and the government to prevail.
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