The Goverment Must Reach Out Again And The Opposition Must Reconsider
The India Commentary view
View all posts by this Author
By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2023-05-25 07:02:21
About the Author
The India Commentary view
View all posts by this Author
The decision of most major opposition parties to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building is regrettable. This historic moment could have been an opportunity for the ruling party and the opposition to set aside their differences and celebrate together in the grandeur of the new temple of democracy. However, the absence of trust between the two sides has prevented this from happening. While the government should have shown graciousness in inviting the President to inaugurate the new Parliament, the opposition's decision to abstain from the ceremony appears churlish and petulant.
It is undeniable that recent actions by the government have only widened the trust deficit instead of bridging it. The opposition has legitimate grievances, such as the NDA's disregard for their concerns in the House, employing its brute majority to stifle discussions on pressing issues. Moreover, the government's recent ordinance to bypass a Supreme Court order on controlling services in Delhi has further alienated the opposition. It is crucial for the government to reach out to the opposition, maintaining cordial relations without compromising its stance on key issues. By allowing the opposition to express their opinions and facilitating smooth functioning of Parliament, trust can be rebuilt.
But the opposition has made its point and made it strongly. It has shown that the government has erred in not inviting the President to inaugurate the new Parliament. However, their decision to boycott the ceremony may be seen as taking the issue too far, potentially compromising the dignity of this momentous occasion. In doing so, they risk falling into the same trap they accuse the ruling dispensation of. The government must make a renewed effort to make them attend the inauguration and the opposition must actively consider the same.
