BJP's move to let MPs resign premature, says N Ram

The opposition is up in arms against the government, raising its voice against corruption in the parliament. In fact, the tension escalated so much that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs across the board might even consider putting in their resignation. Although, the news is still not confirmed, N Ram, former Editor-in-Chief of Hindu feels though it there is a possibility of such a thing, it seems premature.

According to Ram, the government is already at the backfoot fighting so many scams and its legitimacy is at an all time low. At such a point, if the opposition commits tactical mistakes it will only help the government. The current session of parliament is likely to be dominated by the issue of resource allocation, believes Ram. Also read: Parliament won't function till the PM resigns: BJP
Ram further adds that BJP should not have refused debate on the allocation issue and the opposition is not strong enough to push for early elections.  Here is the edited transcript of the interview on CNBC-TV18. Q: Do you see this as a possibility, resignation of all BJP MPs?
A: Possibility but I think from the BJP' standpoint, it would be premature. It happened once before on the Bofors issue and I don't think the situation is quite comparable, although the stock of the government is at an all time low. It is an abysmal situation for the government.
It is seen widely as a government of corruption, the government of scams, a prime minister with the so-called clean image presiding over what is beyond question, the most corrupt record in governance we have seen in recent times. But, the BJP I think has got the tactics wrong, refusing to debate in parliament.
I think it was a big mistake because people won't appreciate it, it may even backfire. Its allies seem to have doubts about it but, the extreme step of resigning from everything, first the JPC on 2G scam and then from parliament itself would be from the BJP's standpoint premature because there is a long time to go before the next Loksabha election is due. Also read: BJP MPs walk out of a meeting of JPC on 2G scam
_PAGEBREAK_ Q: There seems to be a game of brinksmanship going on in New Delhi at this point in time, how do you think it will end this stalemate then?
A: I think if sobriety prevails and it well might, the BJP would come in for a debate and not lower the level of its aggression. I think that is necessary and the opposition has to go for the kill on this so to speak from a standpoint of their interest. The government is in denial on CAG, the government is attacking the CAG now or on an act that seems indefensible.
There is no auction or control over natural resources, it has been exploited, it has become the subject of a scandal not just on coal blocks allocations but on many other things, on 2G and so on. I think that is a huge question. The government's legitimacy is at a very low point and for the opposition to make tactical mistakes would only help the government. Q: One thing you can say for sure that this parliament session would be a complete washout, nothing but this issue will be discussed for the next few days till September 7 you think?
A: I think it is necessary. This is the top issue today and I am not for a moment suggesting that they should let off the government on this issue. But you should show all your aggression in parliament, do well informed debates and as newspapers have pointed out in editorials, the BJP has debators, the Left has debators, others are there and there are quite good debators in parliament. I think they should show their aggression in these debates rather than trying adventurous tactics which does not guarantee their success. Q: We have spoken earlier about the possibility of early elections and you have pointed out in the past that it does not suit most parties to consider that. But, do you think the way things are moving in Delhi, this could all be culminating in elections before 2014?
A: Yes, it is possible because recently there was a poll published by India Today which suggested that not only the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) will do very badly, particularly the Congress and the Prime Minister's stock is at a low with nobody close to providing an alternative.
It suggests and I am not sure if that finding is right that the BJP or the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) may gain because everybody thinks that this is going to be the time of regional parties. They are forming a coalition, a so called third force and so on. But if the assessment is different, they may all go push for early elections.
However, I don't think the BJP has the numbers right now given the divided state of its coalition to force election before it is due. I would still stick to my fear, my sense that elections will come close to the time they are due in 2014. Q: There was some hope that after Chidambaram became Finance Minster things might move on the policy front but, given that the opposition seems to have the UPA or the Congress completely in the corner, do you think they would be even more unsupportive of letting the government do anything on the policy front right now?
A: Because they see the induction of Chidambaram as Finance Minister as a provocation and in considering what they have been saying about his role on the 2G matter as well as the role of a Prime Minister, now I think they are going to raise the level of the confrontation on that. So Finance Minister, Chidambaram will have a very hard time in parliament living through this.