Opposition should debate instead of playing politics

25 February, 2013

Even though the Hindu terrorism controversy has been laid to rest after home minister expressed regret over the controversial remarks, but the major Opposition party BJP has still got a number of excuses to disrupt the Parliament's budget session which has just started.

Helicopter deal, PJ Kurien issue, Lokpal Bill and amendment in criminal laws are some of the issues which could disturb the budget session. It is believed that this budget session could be the last before the coming Lok Sabha elections, and this session could decide the ‘victory or defeat’ for both ruling and opposition in the battlefield of election.

In such circumstances, it is expected that during the budget session, the work or debate will be less as compared to the politics, and it has to be seen who wins, parliament or politics. In case the politics wins, the loss will be to the nation and its people and in case the parliament wins, the ruling Congress party is likely to be benefited. In both the cases, the public is the ultimate sufferer.

Keeping in view the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress party is of the view that the budget should be of great relief to the common man. In addition to the budget, three major bills are likely to be presented, which include capital punishment to rapists, amendment in SEBI bill and a bill relating to SC and ST. Still about one and quarter year is left for the next elections, UPA government wants to defame the opposition before going to the voters. The Lokpal Amendment Bill can create a problem any time to the party in power.

Anyhow, this could be the last budget of 15th Lok Sabha. In the budget, the main attention is on economic issues but in the longer session, the members have the time to discuss the issues relating to national interest and the common people also.

Both, the opposition and the ruling party had to be more conscious during the budget session for making any comments and giving a chance to stop the working of the parliament. In fact, parliament is one of the highest platforms for debate and disturbing its proceedings is to weaken the democracy. More-over, whatever bills are passed in the parliament, it becomes the responsibility of the opposition also to get its pros and cons thoroughly examined before making it a law and in such a situation, the opposition has to play its role very sensitively. The role of opposition in the budget session would be of great importance in the coming Lok Sabha elections.