The best thing that elections do for India is keeping the ruling bloc on its toes. A strong Opposition is important, because a bloc that rules without a serious Opposition is one that is more likely to make mistakes. On the other hand, the worst thing that elections seem to do in India is to make parties turn away from their own best ideas when they switch from one side of the Parliament aisle to the other.
It was actually the BJP-led NDA government that dismantled the administered pricing mechanism for the oil sector. Yesterday, when UPA-2 decided to hike the central excise duty on petrol and diesel, BJP joined hands with the Left parties and the rest of the Opposition to walk out of the FM?s Budget presentation over a hike in fuel prices.
The BJP had plenty of ways for reasonably challenging the FM?s Budget announcement?such as cut motions claiming that the amount of a Budget demand be reduced. That it chose the walkout option instead reflects a larger governance malaise in India. More and more Bills are now passed with lesser and lesser discussion. Walkouts and adjournments mean Parliament works fewer actual hours. With the exception of select members leaving the chambers, at least the Budget presentation used to be sacrosanct?rightfully so, since the government gives an accounting of how it will spend citizens? money in the Budget. Not only have yesterday?s happenings broken with precedence, they haven?t even done this in a progressive cause?over time, India will have no option but to deregulate oil. When in the Opposition, it?s the easiest thing for parties to demand that farmers should get more prices and urban consumers cheaper produce. In government, however, the very same parties realise the difficulty of reconciling these demands. Those who have worked on both sides of the aisle, couldn?t they act a little bit more responsibly?
renuka.bisht@expressindia.com
