In all democracies, there will always be a ruling party that has come to power by securing at least a simple majority or sometimes with the support of another political party or Independent MLAs. All other MLAs that are not part of the government constitute a separate block, denominated as opposition. Hence the ruling dispensation and the opposition are together essential to the democratic functioning of the administration. While the opposition may not have any administrative powers, it certainly has the power to function as an effective watchdog and monitor the manner in which the governance takes place and has the political and moral duty to oppose any plans or schemes detrimental to the interest of the citizens and the environment.
Unfortunately of late this democratic mode of functioning of the government as well the opposition has taken completely a different turn. The party in power tries to neutralize the role of the opposition by manipulating and offering various inducements as well as using other undemocratic methods so that the government can move ahead with all its plans without any resistance.
Sometimes the government adopts another strategy of depriving the opposition constituencies of any meaningful developmental projects. Hence opposition MLAs of these constituencies strike deals with the party in power to defect if ‘favourable offers’ in cash or positions are offered. In the name of development, some greedy MLAs fall prey to the ruling party’s machinations and defect and support the government, thus killing the spirit of democracy. It is sad to see MLAs reasoning out that no development in their constituency is possible without the support of the ruling dispensation. This has to stop.
