This pandemic has tested limits. Whether it’s the government’s spending power, the patience of Indian populace, or the effectiveness of our opposition, they have been tried more times than Manto for his salacious attempts at poetry. Opposition in India has often lived under the garb of constructive criticism. While no matter which party embraces the role, there is nothing constructive about it, ever.
History will give COVID-19 credit for giving us measuring yards for performers and non-performers. While political parties tend to be the offenders and judges in the same trial, today, we will address just those who grace the smaller end of our parliament this term. Our very own opposition led by UPA, further headed by Congress.
To begin with, besides the futility of their accusations, the current Congress has shamed years of reputation for the party. They seem to lack imagination beyond repeated webinars with the crown prince and yes men of the world. Now believe me, just like you, I have had it with webinars, and Instagram lives for a decade.
We tend to overdo trends and how. But when the leader of opposition uses technology to reach out to you (which he hasn’t even done effectively with his campaign strategy in 2014 and 2019), you tune in, if only to shut it down after too many consensual silences.
Rahul Gandhi’s session with Rahul Bajaj drew in crowds, but just like the flattened GDP curve Bajaj condemned, the crux of the matter felt lost. Too many nods, and too less effective solutions. Probably the only great respite was knowing that Rahul Gandhi hasn’t overstepped his privileges and having as bad a hair day as any of us.
Bajaj went on about ‘draconian’ measures and failure of lockdown (which mind you, is very debatable at this time). He continued badgering the government in a one-way conversation with no real solution to a plaguing problem.
I am no saffron badge holder; however, even I would agree with Lance Price (Author: The Modi Effect) that political campaigns by the Modi government during his 2014 elections were worth a mention. They employed technology and how. They targeted the masses and the millennials with suave, if not much grace.
In fact, timely use of social media and technology is considered to be the primary tool in BJP’s win. Congress used age-old methods on the contrary and fell flat to their face. Now, however, with a lack of options, they wish to beat BJP at its own game. But are these webinars really helping? Reiterating strategies that are yet to determine results cannot be the only job of opposition, can it?
On the brighter side, we have the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojna, launched on 21st May 2020 by Sonia Gandhi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The day memorised Rajiv Gandhi’s martyrdom, and the state made a landmark announcement for their budget.
The scheme essentially declared a “grant-in-aid” of 5700 crores for farmers, where the government will be purchasing paddy, maize and sugarcane in the first phase of the yojna. It is meant to benefit nearly 19 lakh farmers by ensuring cash in hand when it’s needed, which is now. This trajectory is precisely where we masses see a healthy opposition going. Maybe not the pathetic twitter banter that leads to no results.
Congress raised valid points against preparation for COVID by the Delhi Government, eventually making them pull their socks up. Within days, AAP launched an app to collate data across hospitals in Delhi, thus making it easy for patients to locate the closest hospital bed and ventilators.
Agreed, it’s still in its testing mode, but if raising hell by opposition leads to real-time changes, I think the purpose is served. Targeting precise problems and providing answers to those problems might be the saving grace for Congress. It might even give them a standing ground for the next elections, which currently seems to be standing on quicksand.