Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s observation in New Delhi on Saturday is the most authoritative we have heard on a leading public issue, and this should end all speculation about the possibility of an early election.
“We will go till the very end,” the Congress — and UPA — leader declared when asked by journalists if there was not a link between the Congress’ pressing desire for getting the Food Security Bill through and the timing of the next Lok Sabha poll.
It is just as well the speculation has been laid to rest. Scotching it was needed as its persistence, leading to the pervasive idea that polls might take place as early as November this year, was shaping the actions of political parties, and also making them use sharper words than they might have done otherwise. There was unnecessary flavouring of rhetoric and the striking of stance, both in Parliament and outside.
In some measure this was hurting the steps being taken by the government to restore some sanity as regards outcomes in the area of economic policy. The actions of many actors on the economic front — mainly foreign and domestic investors — were indubitably being influenced by the prospect of early polls. Some measure of instability was its byproduct. Sharp stock market fluctuations indicated some of the concern or market mood.
Parties sought to score debating points rather than sincerely address matters of national concern. Those in the Opposition frequently opted for virulence and vehemence. The ruling party, on its part, also contributed — if advertently — to building the climate of possibly premature elections. Its MPs and party managers showed too little concern that Parliament time was being wasted through adjournments following disruptions caused by members. Instead of suggesting constructive steps to arrest the trend by discussing matters through with floor managers of Opposition parties, they persisted with giving the impression that they were only interested in the Food Security Bill which Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has termed a “game-changer” for the Congress.
To restore a sense of balance in public discourse, the authoritative voice had to be Mrs Gandhi’s. Even those at the highest levels of the government were not seen as being top-notch in the political sense. The Congress chief might have spoken earlier, but it is good that she has done so at least now. If we have a full eight or nine months to go before the polls, some calm may descend on the political landscape. The Congress should now also take the trouble to mould legislations in fields other than food security, such as those that will restore confidence in the economic arrangements of the country.