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NEW DELHI: Parliament has reconvened to an Opposition looking more in shape than even a few months ago. The Congress party has finally got an issue---the Land Acquisition Bill---that could set it on the road to revival; the Janata parivar has finalised the merger modalities that are expected to have a positive impact on the crucial elections in Bihar; and the CPI(M) has finally completed its weeks long deliberations and emerged from the Party Congress with a clear political line and a new general secretary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite an assertive foreign tour, has returned to a government defensive on the agrarian issue.
The Congress party managed a highly successful Kisan rally at the Ramlila Ground against the Land Acquisition Ordinance by the BJP government. The farmers listened attentively to scion Rahul Gandhi who made an informed, and yet passionate speech. The plus for the party was the decision not to make the rally about Rahul Gandhi’s return from a nearly three month holiday, but to keep the focus on agrarian distress further compounded by the Modi government’s decision to stick to the provisions of the Bill. In fact a not so sanguine Prime Minister was unable to hog the headlines despite trying to do so with his “this is a government for the poor” assertion just before the Congress rally.
There has been no talk of succession after Rahul Gandhi’s return and the strategy clearly seems to be centred around an effort for him to prove himself anew. before claiming the Congress President post. His intervention in Parliament thus was on the first day of the Lok Sabha itself, where he attacked the Modi government for its “suit and tie” approach that kept it distant from the farmer. Interestingly, he seemed to have provided a hitherto absent leadership in the Lok Sabha for the Opposition that rallied around him in support. This is an interesting development, more so as it has the potential of energising the hitherto lifeless Opposition in the Lok Sabha that has been very conscious of its small numbers. Rahul Gandhi did manage to put the treasury benches on the defensive with his short, yet surprisingly incisive, internvention.
The Janata parivar meanwhile seems to be moving on the path of merger, and while nothing is until it is finalised here, it does seem that most of the obstacles have been removed. Bihar is a crucial election, and it is clear that the erstwhile Janata Dal constituents are determined to contest the polls here together, and strengthen current Chief Minister Nitish Kumars hands.While it is too early to predict a result, it is true though that the Janata Dal(U) and Rashtriya Janata Dal coalition is in shape to give a good fight to the Bharatiya Janata party for this state that could turn the tide. Success in Bihar will solidify this alliance, into a more fighting fit entity in the weeks and months to come. As of now this block has 30 MPs in Rajya Sabha, making it third to the BJP and Congress parties.
The CPI(M) that had shelved most issues until the Party Congress has finally completed the process. Sitaram Yechury is the new general secretary, and has a window of opportunity to one hasten Left Unity; two, strike good workable alliances and understandings with the other regional parties, and three,most importantly get the cadres out on the ground. It remains to be seen whether Yechury will be able to strike out, and to what extent.
The Opposition that was shaken, splintered and in the doldrums after the Lok Sabha elections just about a year ago is emerging from the morass into which it had sunk. And doing so much earlier than expected by its own leaders. The BJP on the other hand is not really sure of where it is going, with party president Amit Shah remaining inaccessible and distant to most in the party. The Land Acquisition Bill is worrying the party, but till date PM Modi has shown no signs of backing off and seems determined to push the Bill through. Rahul Gandhi’s simplistic charge that PM Modi had taken a heavy loan from the corporates to fight the very expensive Lok Sabha elections and was now trying to pay back it back by making the farmers land available for big business, has had a resonance with the BJP clearly on the defensive on this.
All said and done, the first glimmerings of an Opposition taking shape both in and outside Parliament are visible. The farmers issue that all Opposition parties---except the AIADMK and perhaps the Biju Janata Dal---have taken up in a big way is already spreading its tentacles with the farmers Unions joining protests all over the country. The perception has gone against the BJP and PM Modi’s instructions that every party MP should “explain’ the merits of the Ordinance to the constituents seems to be a rather tall order at this stage.
