31 January
Sandeep Dhand ( Ludhiana)
In a fiery exchange, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent critique of the opposition, asserting that the Modi government is eroding the foundations of parliamentary democracy. Kharge, in a statement posted on the social media platform ‘X’, accused the ruling BJP of insulting the Parliament and jeopardizing democracy.
Backing his claims with historical data, Kharge highlighted that statistics from the last two decades reveal that the most significant obstruction in Parliament occurred during the 15th Lok Sabha (2009-2014), with the BJP serving as the primary opposition party at the time. He argued that the BJP, now in power, should reflect on its own history and its role during the 15th Lok Sabha.
Kharge contended that the recent session of Parliament witnessed an alarming trend, with 14 bills passed in just three days by suspending 146 members from both houses. He expressed concern over the haste in passing legislation, citing that in the current Lok Sabha, 64 out of 172 bills were approved with less than an hour of discussion. Similarly, during the tenure of the 17th Lok Sabha, 61 bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha under similar circumstances.
“The Prime Minister gave a statement outside Parliament. We want to remind them how their government is responsible for destroying parliamentary democracy,” Kharge posted on ‘X’. He urged the government to engage in meaningful discussions and debates rather than resorting to suspension and quick bill approvals.
Kharge’s accusations extend beyond mere political differences, with him asserting that the very essence of parliamentary democracy is at stake. He called on the ruling party to introspect and address the concerns raised by the opposition regarding the functioning of the Parliament.
As the political discourse intensifies, the nation watches closely, with the future of parliamentary democracy hanging in the balance. The allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling party and the opposition underscore the critical need for a robust and transparent parliamentary system that upholds the principles of open debate and democratic deliberation. The coming days are likely to witness further exchanges between the government and the opposition, as the nation grapples with the broader implications of these accusations on its democratic institutions.