Misfiring opposition parties struggling to dent BJP
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: September 19, 2022 -

REGARDLESS of the Congress party observing 'national unemployment day' on the day the ruling BJP celebrated birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with different activities including nationwide blood donation camp, it is unlikely that the former's attempt to expose administrative shortcomings, if any, on the part of the incumbent governments at the centre and in the state will not have much of an impact.

As an opposition party it is on expected line for the Congress party to launch tirades against the government but the fact remains that in Hindu-majority India the countrymen are notably having a feel good factor, especially with the BJP-led government in New Delhi winning accolades from the global fraternity and success in giving an impression that the country's economy is thriving.

The overwhelming public response to BJP's call for mass donation of blood on Saturday, during which record units of blood were collected, also underscores the undiminishing popularity of the saffron party, at-least at this juncture.

Recent cases of JD-U MLAs in Manipur and some north-eastern states merging with the BJP and eight out of 11 Congress legislators in Goa deciding to embrace the BJP ideology testify that the opposition parties, the Congress in particular, are struggling to keep their house in order.

The opposition parties had branded the MLAs, who left their parent parties, as deserters and lacking political integrity, but such acts of jumping ship could be construed as the political class foreseeing that they have a better future with the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In Manipur's context too, the BJP-led government has been able to successfully project that it is ready to walk the extra mile to find solution to any outstanding problem.

No doubt, there are still a handful of issues that the government has been unable to address but its ability to maintain the law and order situation, ensure that the state remains free from major public agitations and bring an end to the cease work strike of the Secretariat employees, among others, make it crystal clear that all-out efforts are being made to keep things under control.

Thus, it could be conveniently stated that inspite of the Congress party's bid to pick weak points of the incumbent government, the BJ P would be least concerned with such attempts for it not only has the numbers on its side but is well aware that the non-NDA parties helming the affairs in some states don't have the pan-India clout.

With the regional parties unable to make much of an impact beyond their respective stronghold states compared to the BJP's policy decision-makers leaving no stone unturned to improve its performance in the upcoming assembly elections or in the next parliamentary polls it could be safely stated that stopping the BJP juggernaut will entail collective effort and unity among the opposition parties.

In view of many non-BJP parties engaging in intense bickering and blame games among themselves or carrying out campaigns, individually, to showcase existence, it appears that the BJP wouldn't accord much importance to the opposition parties firing salvos at it through the conventional or social media platforms.