In view of the seriousness of the pandemic, both the Government and the Opposition must ensure smooth functioning of the Parliament
The forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament is indeed historic, as since 1952, the Parliament has never deviated from its traditions. This brief session from September 14 to October 1, will see many firsts, including staggered seating, different timings for both the Houses, no breaks during the session and social distancing. Prior to this, the Budget Session was curtailed on March 23 due to the pandemic. Despite the fact that the outbreak is still continuing, the Parliament was required to meet to fulfil the Constitutional stipulations. For the first time, the two Houses will meet at different times and for just four hours. The Members of Parliament (MPs) have to comply with social distancing norms and will be spread out throughout the House, chambers and even lobbies. They will be tested for Covid-19. As far as possible it will be a paperless session with just 18 sittings. Members will not be allowed to return to their constituencies during the session.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and the Speaker Om Birla had arrived at these decisions after several meetings. It is indeed a big challenge for both of them to run the House amid all these restrictions. The two presiding officers have gone out of their way to make preparations for the upcoming session. After several meetings, they have decided to stick to traditions as far as possible and overcome difficulties for the hybrid (a mix of digital and physical) session. They have even gone for dress rehearsals to ensure safe and smooth functioning of the Parliament.
Going by the indications from the Opposition and the Treasury Benches, the session is likely to be a stormy one. There is a proposal to curtail the Question Hour in view of the short duration of the daily sessions. The members may find it difficult to run to the Well of the House or stage a walkout. There are 11 Ordinances, 20 Bills, which need the Parliament’s nod.
The Opposition is sharpening its knives to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the handling of the contagion. The pandemic continues unabated despite several measures undertaken by both the Centre and the States and the issue needs to be addressed.
The second is the economy. It was already in the doldrums before the pandemic began. Now it has worsened further due to the Corona lockdowns. The job losses are too many and millions of migrant labourers are yet to come back to the cities to take up the work they did before the lockdowns began. Experts say it might take two years for the economy to come back to normal, despite the Government announcing relief measures.
The third is the India-China stand-off at the Galwan Valley. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded transparency on the China front. The Congress plans to demand a statement from the Prime Minister on the issue. And to make matters worse for the Modi dispensation, on August 29 night, Chinese troops “carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo” near Pangong Tso. Fortunately they were blocked by Indian soldiers, but this shows that military and diplomatic talks are not making any headway. The Chinese are not backing down.
The fourth is the Kashmir issue. Even after a year, normalcy is yet to return to the State. Development work has been hit due to the lockdown. The new Governor Manoj Sinha, the second in a year, has the task of reviving political discourse, conducting Assembly polls and delimitation. This amid a demand for status quo ante from local and national parties in the State.
The fifth is the latest controversy on Facebook’s alleged nexus with the BJP. The standing committee on Information Technology, headed by Congress leader Dr Shashi Tharoor, wants to summon the Facebook chief executive while the BJP is objecting to it. The sixth is the sale of 32 Public Sector Undertakings and handing over of parts of Railways operations and airports to private parties.
The BJP, too, is getting ready to face the onslaught of the Opposition and is firm in its resolve to counter it. The important question is whether the weak Opposition plans to have a joint floor strategy. So far, no meetings have been held. The Congress itself is facing internal turmoil after 23 senior Congress leaders wrote a letter to the party president stressing on the need to reform the party. As long as the Opposition is divided, it is advantage Modi Government.
For decades now, Parliament has seen noisy scenes and walkouts. In view of the seriousness of the pandemic, both the Treasury Benches and the Opposition have a responsibility to ensure smooth functioning of the Parliament. While the Government should reach out to the Opposition, the latter should play a constructive role.
All this is easier said than done. This is indeed an opportunity for members of all parties to show that they are truly the representatives of the people by putting aside all differences. The million-dollar question is will they?
(The writer is a senior journalist)