When the drama ends

LS began with good political theatre. A tougher test of its efficacy will come once legislative biz starts

Lok Sabha’s proceedings, starting with the oath ceremony, were loud. And clear. Voices carried. Rhetoric-tipped arrows flew. Barbs found their targets. Quarrels over election of Speaker, and debate around President’s address, have – almost reassuringly – demonstrated the House is in raucous form. The theatrics were almost entertaining and as integral to an opening session as, say, the administering of oath.

Role play | If Rahul Gandhi hit the deck running, an aggressive LoP with clarity of purpose, and BJP firmly in his sight, Modi in his third term was campaignesque sharp, targeting Congress and defending his govt. Powerful speeches from opposition politicians and feisty counters from govt brass – mostly Union ministers spoke – lit up the session expected to end today. The House will reconvene around the third week of July when govt presents its Budget. Parliament is the politician’s stage. Good theatrical performances burnish political credentials. As things stand, opposition parties have little to complain about – of not getting a chance to speak, of not being heard. Plenty was said, including sloganeering almost throughout PM’s speech yesterday.

Tough act | For the coalition in office, legislative business will be Modi-led govt’s primary test – a first for a PM who led two BJP-majority govts. For any new bill, or to carry forward bills pending from its earlier tenure, it will need to have ally TDP and JDU on board. Even in RS, it has work to do, given BJD has decided to not support BJP. The onus is on Modi, around whom everything-NDA revolves.

No drama | The real test of the House will be in the business it gets done. Can Parliament hold a robust debate on NEET, which impacts almost 3mn youngsters every year? And when – if – it does so, will it be a war of words or outcome-oriented? Can the 18th LS have relevant debates on jobs, on the extent and causes of underemployment? Creaky infra in the world’s most populous country is a debilitating factor for any development agenda – Parliament should focus on it. And a sobering reminder came yesterday to MPs about real questions they must ask – over 100 died in a stampede in a religious event in UP’s Hathras.

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