- The most important aspect of the democratic form of government is that the leaders elected are not only the representatives of the people who have been bestowed the role to act on behalf of them, but also expected to ensure the socio-welfare requirements of the citizens are met in a desired manner. Indian democracy is an exemplary model that delineates the roles and responsibilities of the treasury benches and the opposition benches in the two houses of Parliament, viz., the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. As you know, the three critical arms of the Indian Constitution are the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary, functioning harmoniously. The role of each arm of the Constitution is clearly demarcated without any ambiguities.
PC: Deccan Herald
- Of course, the two arms of the Constitution, vis-à-vis the legislature and the executive, are expected to introduce policies/strategies for the progress of the nation in the form of bills that will become an Act. The role of the higher judiciary is to interpret the passage of bills into Acts to ascertain that they are within the purview of the Constitutionally guaranteed articles upholding the rights of the citizens. Within the legislature and the executive, the role defined for the government and the opposition is uncluttered and uncomplicated. Especially, the role of the opposition is to keep the treasury benches on their toes, ensuring checks and balances are duly adhered to. Most importantly, ensuring a healthy debate precedes the passage of bills.
PC: National Herald
- Unfortunately, over the last two decades, the quality of the debate in both the Houses of Parliament has deteriorated considerably. The unruly behaviour coupled with innumerable disruptions, has become the norm rather than an exception in the Parliamentary functioning. The Indian political scenario is largely driven by the labyrinthine caste equations as well as secular and communal narrative, interspersed with the national and regional players is known across the firmament.Moreover, as the Prime Minister is the head of the Union Government, the position of the Leader of the Opposition is equally responsible and powerful, entrusted with the responsibility to raise questions on the government’s functioning as and when required.
PC: Hindustan Times
- What is of utmost concern for the citizens of the country must be the way the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Lok Sabha goes about discharging responsibilities, more often leaning on parochial considerations as a guiding force, rather than playing the role of a constructive watchdog. The animosity directed against the Prime Minister is too evident, even as vitriolic attacks, including personal ones, keep emanating from the LOP, forcing discerning people to wonder whether the leader in question is worth carrying the weight of the position diligently. It makes little sense for the LOP to keep raising unsubstantiated issues without providing evidence or seeking available legal recourse. A change in the strategy is inevitable for the LOP. Will he?
