The Opposition is within its rights to ask questions about the Government’s readiness and the Government, too, is duty-bound to remain accountable. Both should keep aside their political agenda as the priority is dealing with the pandemic

Is the Opposition supporting the Narendra Modi Government’s efforts to contain the Coronavirus pandemic in the country? Is the Government doing enough? 

One should not raise eyebrows if the Opposition parties in the country do not praise the Union Government’s efforts though they are forced to give support reluctantly. Even in the United States (US) despite the pandemic outbreak and the Government’s efforts to combat it, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has accused  President Donald Trump of “playing politics” with the virus outbreak to which the latter responded by calling her “incompetent.” The Speaker hit back saying, “Lives are at stake. This is not a time for name-calling or playing politics.” What both said applies to Indian politicians also.

While Prime Minister Modi has shown his leadership qualities by persuading the people to observe a one-day “Janta (people) curfew” and has successfully taken it forward by putting the entire country under a 21-day  official lockdown, the Opposition thinks that the Government is not doing enough.

This was evident during the curtailed Parliament session when the Opposition raised questions on the Government’s tackling of the pandemic.  In fact, even running the session became difficult as the Opposition wanted it to be curtailed in view of the outbreak and the social distancing that the Government was advocating for the public. The Opposition accused the Modi Government of ignoring the threat that the Coronavirus posed to the health of the Members of Parliament and running the House in order to install a BJP Government in Madhya Pradesh.

How has the Congress, the main Opposition party dealt with the issue? While the party has been careful to avoid any antagonistic public posture at a time when the nation faces a war- like situation, it has stressed certain key issues.  Though delayed, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Modi, pledging her party’s support to the national lockdown, adding that she also had certain suggestions.

In her letter, Gandhi had urged the Centre to consider announcing sector-wise relief packages, including tax breaks, interest subvention, deferment of liability, extra measures for migrant labourers and the unorganised sector workers.

Sonia has also asked the Congress chief ministers to gear up for the situation and the Congress has activated its All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretaries, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) presidents, legislature party leaders and heads of frontal organisations to help people.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who was critical Modi’s way of handling the pandemic, on March 28 pledged his personal support to the Prime Minister in a letter but also appealed for a nuanced approach. He urged the PM to come up with a safety net for the poor and a road map with a time-frame.

Congress leaders, who spoke in a shriller voice earlier, now speak in a muted tone. They are saying, “We are with you but…!” Within hours of Rahul Gandhi declaring his support, party spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi came out with a scathing criticism of the lockdown and the plight of about one crore migrant workers. “You have heightened the nerves of the people of this nation because of your unpreparedness,” he said. It is the same with other Opposition leaders, be it Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Sitaram Yechuri, Mayawati or D Raja. The BJP, however, has geared up its machinery along with the full support of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

What is heartening is that the State Governments and the Centre are working in tandem in tackling the pandemic. Cooperation between the Centre and the States fortunately continues at the official level and health is one such area where States have never withheld their cooperation. Interestingly, it is the regional parties and leaders who have taken the lead in the fight against the Coronavirus. Most non–BJP ruled States supported the “Janta curfew.” Chief Ministers like Naveen Patnaik, KC Rao, Jagan Mohan Reddy, E Palaniswami and Arvind Kejriwal have responded positively to Modi’s initiatives. These regional satraps have come up with their own relief measures. While, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a Rs 200-crore fund to tackle the disease, Kerala’s Vijayan has announced a Rs 2,000 crore financial aid plan. At the State level, too, the Opposition parties in their respective regions have offered to work with the Government, except for a few States like Tamil Nadu.

All this goes to show that the collective political will that is needed to deal with a critical stage in the transmission of the virus, is by and large there in the country. India is facing an unprecedented challenge, which affects each State, each economic sector, each business and the health of each family. What do the people of India want? They are looking to a genuine leadership both from the Government and the Opposition. The Opposition, too, has the responsibility to come up with policy options and the Government  must also listen to it. Together, they should be able to cope with the unprecedented pandemic. Both should not fail the people at a time like this. Indeed the Opposition is within its rights to ask questions about the Government’s readiness and its response and the Government, too, is duty-bound to remain accountable. Both should keep aside their political agenda as the priority is dealing with the pandemic. Therefore the response should be reflected in political unity.

(Writer: Karan bhasin; Courtesy: The Pioneer)

The Opposition is within its rights to ask questions about the Government’s readiness and the Government, too, is duty-bound to remain accountable. Both should keep aside their political agenda as the priority is dealing with the pandemic

Is the Opposition supporting the Narendra Modi Government’s efforts to contain the Coronavirus pandemic in the country? Is the Government doing enough? 

One should not raise eyebrows if the Opposition parties in the country do not praise the Union Government’s efforts though they are forced to give support reluctantly. Even in the United States (US) despite the pandemic outbreak and the Government’s efforts to combat it, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has accused  President Donald Trump of “playing politics” with the virus outbreak to which the latter responded by calling her “incompetent.” The Speaker hit back saying, “Lives are at stake. This is not a time for name-calling or playing politics.” What both said applies to Indian politicians also.

While Prime Minister Modi has shown his leadership qualities by persuading the people to observe a one-day “Janta (people) curfew” and has successfully taken it forward by putting the entire country under a 21-day  official lockdown, the Opposition thinks that the Government is not doing enough.

This was evident during the curtailed Parliament session when the Opposition raised questions on the Government’s tackling of the pandemic.  In fact, even running the session became difficult as the Opposition wanted it to be curtailed in view of the outbreak and the social distancing that the Government was advocating for the public. The Opposition accused the Modi Government of ignoring the threat that the Coronavirus posed to the health of the Members of Parliament and running the House in order to install a BJP Government in Madhya Pradesh.

How has the Congress, the main Opposition party dealt with the issue? While the party has been careful to avoid any antagonistic public posture at a time when the nation faces a war- like situation, it has stressed certain key issues.  Though delayed, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Modi, pledging her party’s support to the national lockdown, adding that she also had certain suggestions.

In her letter, Gandhi had urged the Centre to consider announcing sector-wise relief packages, including tax breaks, interest subvention, deferment of liability, extra measures for migrant labourers and the unorganised sector workers.

Sonia has also asked the Congress chief ministers to gear up for the situation and the Congress has activated its All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretaries, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) presidents, legislature party leaders and heads of frontal organisations to help people.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who was critical Modi’s way of handling the pandemic, on March 28 pledged his personal support to the Prime Minister in a letter but also appealed for a nuanced approach. He urged the PM to come up with a safety net for the poor and a road map with a time-frame.

Congress leaders, who spoke in a shriller voice earlier, now speak in a muted tone. They are saying, “We are with you but…!” Within hours of Rahul Gandhi declaring his support, party spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi came out with a scathing criticism of the lockdown and the plight of about one crore migrant workers. “You have heightened the nerves of the people of this nation because of your unpreparedness,” he said. It is the same with other Opposition leaders, be it Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Sitaram Yechuri, Mayawati or D Raja. The BJP, however, has geared up its machinery along with the full support of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

What is heartening is that the State Governments and the Centre are working in tandem in tackling the pandemic. Cooperation between the Centre and the States fortunately continues at the official level and health is one such area where States have never withheld their cooperation. Interestingly, it is the regional parties and leaders who have taken the lead in the fight against the Coronavirus. Most non–BJP ruled States supported the “Janta curfew.” Chief Ministers like Naveen Patnaik, KC Rao, Jagan Mohan Reddy, E Palaniswami and Arvind Kejriwal have responded positively to Modi’s initiatives. These regional satraps have come up with their own relief measures. While, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a Rs 200-crore fund to tackle the disease, Kerala’s Vijayan has announced a Rs 2,000 crore financial aid plan. At the State level, too, the Opposition parties in their respective regions have offered to work with the Government, except for a few States like Tamil Nadu.

All this goes to show that the collective political will that is needed to deal with a critical stage in the transmission of the virus, is by and large there in the country. India is facing an unprecedented challenge, which affects each State, each economic sector, each business and the health of each family. What do the people of India want? They are looking to a genuine leadership both from the Government and the Opposition. The Opposition, too, has the responsibility to come up with policy options and the Government  must also listen to it. Together, they should be able to cope with the unprecedented pandemic. Both should not fail the people at a time like this. Indeed the Opposition is within its rights to ask questions about the Government’s readiness and its response and the Government, too, is duty-bound to remain accountable. Both should keep aside their political agenda as the priority is dealing with the pandemic. Therefore the response should be reflected in political unity.

(Writer: Karan bhasin; Courtesy: The Pioneer)