- The moment the results of the recently concluded Parliamentary elections were out, it was evident that the proceedings in both houses would be far from ideal since the equations vis-à-vis the treasury and the opposition benches’ strength would not remain the same, unlike earlier times. The BJP had to settle for 240 seats compared to the previous two elections when the party had an absolute majority of its own. Notably, the NDA successfully took over the reins of the Union Government for the third time was lost even as the opposition INDI alliance further strengthened its presence by winning more seats at the cost of the BJP. The coalition era was back again with the BJP relying on TDP and JDU for support to shore up the numbers.
PC:
- It was amply evident that the NDA would be cornered at every step of the Parliamentary proceedings. The entire country witnessed how the election of the Lok Sabha speaker panned out leading to accusations and counteraccusations among the political parties. The Congress has gained more traction among the opposition parties by improving their numbers from the previous two elections. Of course, the aura of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been reduced considerably, especially after the BJP failed to best the most important state in the Hindi heartland, Uttar Pradesh. The much bandied about Ram Temple construction has failed to yield desired electoral dividends to the BJP on expected lines.
- Going by the look of things, the fault lines within the state BJP in Uttar Pradesh are coming out in the open of late. There are several crucial state assembly elections lined up in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand that would be a litmus test and an indication as to which way the political wind will be blowing. The opposition INDI alliance cannot be considered a push away anymore by the saffron brigade. What is also more apparent is the renewed confidence exhibited by the Congress-led opposition alliance taking on the mellowed-down treasury bench with great aplomb. The appointment of Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition has certainly helped the cause. Rahul has been found aggressively berating the ruling dispensation with his pet topics.
PC: Jagran Josh
- The ruckus created by the opposition parties during the oath-taking ceremony, the President’s address, the Thanksgiving to the President’s address, the budget presentation, and the subsequent debate have left no one in doubt about what will be in store for the Modi government. The one critical issue that cannot be brushed under the carpet is the job creation that has already been signed by the BJP despite painting a rosy picture of the robust economic growth and the country’s positioning as the fifth largest economy. Ordinary citizens would rather care about more job opportunities, controlled inflationary trends, and affordable prices for decent living standards. The Modi government has a huge task to navigate amid the opposition’s determined attacks.
