- After two months of hectic campaigning by all political parties ended with successful polling, the Lok Sabha results were announced last month. As we know, none of the political parties got an absolute majority but the BJP emerged as the single largest party, unlike two previous polls when it had the majority of its own. The 18th Lok Sabha commenced with the joint address of the President to the newly elected parliamentarians. People closely following the fortunes of the political class knew how the political class would go about conducting the parliamentary responsibilities. The opposition benches are quite gung-ho since the numbers this time around are more as compared to the previous two terms. The Congress has almost doubled its tally too.
PC: The Economic Times
- The treasury bench led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone about discharging his responsibilities with nonchalance despite fully knowing that the numbers this time around do not favor him too much. He knows the Union Ministry will encounter challenges going ahead. As expected, the Lok Sabha began with good political theatre. A tougher test of its efficacy will come once legislative biz starts. Notably, Lok Sabha’s proceedings, starting with the oath ceremony, were loud. And clear. Voices carried. Rhetoric-tipped arrows flew. Barbs found the intended targets. Quarrels over the election of Speaker, and debate around the President’s address, have – almost reassuringly – demonstrated the House is in raucous form.
- Needless to mention, the theatrics were almost entertaining and as integral to an opening session as, say, the administering of the oath. As Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi hit the deck running with clarity of purpose. Of course, with the BJP firmly in sight, Modi in his third term was razor sharp, targeting Congress and defending his government as usual. Powerful speeches from opposition politicians and feisty counters from government brass, mostly Union Ministers spoke, lit up the session expected to end soon. Parliament is the politician’s stage. Good theatrical performances burnish political credentials. As things stand, opposition parties have little to complain about, of not getting a chance to speak, of not being heard. It won’t cut ice anymore.
PC: News18
- Plenty was heard, including sloganeering almost throughout PM’s speech. For the coalition in office, the legislative business will be the Modi-led government’s primary test. For any new bill, or to carry forward bills pending from its earlier tenure, it will need to have ally TDP and JD(U) on board. Even in RS, it has work to do, given BJD has decided to not support the BJP. The onus is on Modi, around whom everything NDA revolves. Can Parliament hold a robust debate on NEET, which impacts almost 3mn youngsters every year? Can the LS have relevant debates on jobs, on the extent and causes of underemployment? Creaky infra in the world’s most populous country is a debilitating factor for any development agenda. Modi and the team will have their hands full.
