Problem is with the opposition

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Narendra Modi has positioned himself as the numero uno citizen not only within his party but across all political class of this billion strong republic nation. Whether the rhetoric of demonetisation would translate into the real-economic is still uncertain. However, nobody would like it to fail although the decision lacks financial rationale and ground zero implementation. For now, the narrative is filled with a feeling of ecstasy and a Robinhood-like bravado. We Indians love to romanticise. And it happens all the more when your previous economist prime minister is utterly incommunicative and painstakingly silent even on a topic of his undisputed command.

Probably, this is the biggest cripple of our democracy in present times. I would have loved to hear Manmohan Singh’s analysis of the present scenario; not just because of his two term stint in the PMO but because he is one of the most distinguished economic wizards on the planet. Sadly, we are forced to gobble Arvind Kejriwal, Mamta Banerjee or Rahul Gandhi’s economics which absolutely makes no sense at all. The right people (like Dr Singh) are hibernating and the wrong people (the abovementioned) are making all the nasty moves. The common man then has to make a choice between the less sensible (demonetisation) and insensible (the opposition). Sadly, the choice, although heart wrenching, isn’t too difficult.

These past 15 days have miserably exposed the opposition parties in this country. The exposure isn’t on the account of black money in their coffers. It is sheer dearth of intellectual maturity these parties have showcased that has led to this disappointing impression.

Arvind Kejriwal’s distasteful rants and Rahul Gandhi’s high pitched yet totally misplaced arguments have raised serious concerns about the governing caliber of this so called opposition. Some top economists in this country have highlighted various valid points and sounded alarm bells about the possible disastrous long term consequences of this radical decision. However, not one of these points of views figures in the parliament.

The prime minister has shown commendable decision making capabilities missing from our national political discourse for the last two terms. Although I do not fully agree with some of his decisions, he has demonstrated extra-ordinary resilience from the obnoxious right wing vigilantes as well as his declared detractors.

This should have ideally forced our esteemed opposition parties to raise the level of attack and arguments on the principle ruling party and its leader. Rather, we only witnessed and are still suffering the mediocre theatrics and sub standard offense on a well organized, ideologically well oiled and philosophically well moored party like the BJP. The opposition should have got its act together. Ironically, it sank deeper and deeper into this much unwarranted mediocrity.

Situation is worse in Goa. Although BJP’s Vijay Sankalp crowd demonstrates their organizational prowess, a large section of voters feel rage and anger towards the ruling dispensation. Tragically, our opposition is lampooned by the hanging swords of various dreadful cases above their head. Moreover, most of our opposition MLAs are disgracefully planning to jump or ally with the other side. These so called heavyweights, after reaping hefty benefits of power, now want to jump the ship. It is said that rats desert a sinking ship first. Our tragedy is there are hardly any other creatures on the opposition’s boat if the rats jump off. In nutshell, the Congress is filled with majority of the rats who were residing in the house for the want of power-cheese. The cheese is gone and they have no whatsoever interest to put the house in order; because there never was a sense of belonging.

Vijai Sardesai is fighting a solo battle on the other side. He is the only leader who is trying his best to kick up some dust against the ruling alliance. He is projecting himself like a Gladiator challenging the mighty Roman Empire. But an election isn’t the Arena and our state the stadia. The efforts need to be more coordinated, comprehensive and co-opted. Some Chellakumar visiting Goa to announce that the Congress will contest all forty seats is as ridiculous as the sycophants in the Congress pleading before Rahul Gandhi to take over Presidentship of the party in spite of his repetitive and successive failures. Nobody in the Congress today can enlighten the people of Goa whether their leader of opposition or the GPCC President would contest this election or not. The messengers of the high command should commit on these matters first before making any utterances about the forty constituencies. But I cannot blame Digvijay Singh or Chellakumar alone. The dismal display in strategizing and executing proper game plans has become a national phenomenon for the Congress. Goa is just another small extension of the blunder.

A functional democracy needs an effective opposition. Frankly, our right wing politics is holding its fort well. The problem is with the liberal thought of political discourse which was held firmly by the Congress few decades back. We are disastrously failing on this front because most the spearheads of this section have reached on top not out of commitment to the liberal ideologies but by conniving and colluding with the internal satraps of the grand old party. Rest of the leadership has become a regional behemoth having far inconsequential impact of the national narrative.