It is extremely disturbing that the confrontation between the ruling party and the Opposition (NDA) is deepening day by day. It is to be accepted that the NDA is right in their demand on dismissing the tainted ministers. However, a too confrontation stand taken by the BJP-led opposition on issues like Uma Bharati arrest (on the alleged instigation of violence in Hubli in 1994 showing scant regard for the restriction imposed on the incidence site that was very sensitive) and the remarks by a minister on Savarkar is totally condemnable. 

Even if Sonia Gandhi was behind the resurrection of case against Uma Bharati, as per law what the former Chief Minister of Madya Pradesh did in 1994 (hoisting the national flag in Hubli's Idgah maidan on the Independence Day in 1994) against the imposed restrictions and the consequent violence is an offense. In an enthusiasm to protect or justify the actions of one of its top leaders, BJP should not identify itself as supporting a heinous crime. More than supporting, BJP is giving a nationalistic colour to hoisting the flag in a restricted/banned sensitive location. 

Amend the National Flag Act

One won't be less patriotic if he/she is condemning hoisting our national flag in a place if it is going to lead to blood-shed and deaths. In fact, it is a disrespect to our National Flag. When it comes to the question of humanity versus patriotism (it is not even patriotism, it takes the shade of jingoism), one must be careful in taking side. By saying that Uma's violation of the government regulation to protect the law and order is a crime (even if it involves hoisting the national flag), one does not become less patriotic. If it is so, the Karnataka government in 1994 acted unpatriotic and hence the responsible authorities and the minister in-charge of the law and order in 1994 must be punished (because they were concerned about law and order of the State/city rather than showing their patriotism by allowing Uma to hoist the national flag in the sensitive maidan). It is high time that we amend the National Flag Act and include that any disrespect and misuse of the national flag for narrow partisan reasons and/or the use of the National Flag to instigate the violence in a locality would invite the life imprisonment. Any political party supporting such an act would automatically stand disqualified with immediate effect. 

Learn to Function as a Responsible Opposition

The opposition should be more concerned in protecting peoples' interests. There are many issues, such as reduced EPF interest rate, rise in foreign direct investment in telecom, insurance, and aviation sector, and the nation did not get to know what is the BJP led NDA's stand on those issues. It has not even explained to people what is its stand on the recently ended Truckers' strike on the issue of levying service tax. Instead of actively and constructively participating in discussions on finance bill, the opposition stayed away from the proceedings of the Parliament. This adamant attitude of the opposition pushed the Lok Sabha Speaker to such an extent where he had to adjourn the Parliament sine die. The finance bill was passed without any discussion. The opposition made a fuss about Prime Minister's action as an insult to them when he refused to accept the memorandum with their suggestions to the Finance Bill. How can a Finance Minister act on the list of suggestions when barely a few hours were left before the scheduled time for passing the Finance bill? If it is not a political gimmick or an action aimed at getting away with the blame of not discussing the budget, how can we identify this reckless act of Opposition parties? As the whole nation started discussing about their non-participation in the budget discussions, it realized that it is doing a big folly and heading for a big blame, and hence swiftly came up with a memorandum. If memorandum is sufficient and the acceptable way for the Parliament to protect people's interest, let us not convene the Parliament anymore. The opposition and the ruling Party can submit memoranda and letters to the Speakers of both the Houses and they can be exchanged through the Parliament Secretariat. No need to convene the Parliament. At least the expense of conducting the Parliamentary proceedings would be saved. If in a democracy the ruling party is expected to make announcements and statements ONLY in the Parliament when the session is alive instead of announcing through media or any other forum, the same logic is applicable for the Opposition. When the Parliament session is going on, what is the need for the Opposition to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister if it really has objections to the Finance Bill drafted by the Government. 

The nation must recall the stand the Opposition took with regard to their participation in Standing Committees of the Parliament which they reversed only a few days back. It is better for the nation if BJP led NDA learns to distinguish the Parliament and the Cabinet led by Dr Manmohan Singh. Also, as in wedding, in politics also there is something called a 'honeymoon' period (for six months). Even in a new job, an employee is given six months  probation time before one is assessed. However, Dr Manmohan Singh and his Cabinet did not get that luxury. The Opposition is so destructive that it did not give time for this Prime Minister and his Ministry to settle down and start functioning. It is highly incorrect.

PM must heed Opposition Cry for Probity in Politics

It would also auger well for Dr. Singh and his government if it does not identify with the tainted ministers any more. In any case, the Prime Minister is strongly advocating for the code of conduct for MPs, code of conduct for the Ministers, and code of conduct for officials/bureaucrats. He even made a clarion call on this from the Red Fort on our Independence Day. His logic is very correct that in our democracy 'planning' and 'policies' are too good. It is only the 'improper execution due to corruption' that pushes us far behind the rest of the world. He may do well if he catalyses this process and includes the 'exclusion principle' to drive away those who are corrupted from not only the Cabinet but also from the Parliament. Those why carry stain in public life can not adore the Cabinet and Parliament. He should not keen on staying in power if this well-founded campaign for probity in public life fails. He should rather sacrifice his government if he faces stiff opposition for his suggestion. The BJP and his NDA partners should find space in Dr Singh's effort to cleanse the politics if they are keen to remove the tainted ministers from the Cabinet. Until this effort succeeds, they have every right to put pressure on the Prime Minister and his government without showing disregard to the Parliamentary proceedings. They should even take this issue to the public (as they keep saying in media) and take people's support for their efforts. If the BJP-led NDA does not act with responsibility and use the tainted ministers issue only to gain political mileage and embarrass the PM and his government, and if the Opposition combine is not able to accept the verdict of people, BJP would have to pay a heavy price as it is the leader of the opposition combine.