When the United Opposition Stood Divided on Modi’s Note Ban Move
Individual ambitions, weak planning and distrust have resulted in scattering of the opposition, argues Neeraj Gupta.
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A member of Parliament and leader of opposition, National Party, Don Brash stated that Opposition is an alternate government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be happy that he doesn't have to face any such opposition. On 8 November, high-denomination Indian currency notes were banned, which caused the whole nation to queue up outside banks and ATMs.
Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Left, Sharad Pawar and almost all the parties from South – except Nitish Kumar – launched an attack on the government.
It felt like this issue has united all of them. Experts were left wondering, if demonetisation had brought bigoted enemies like Mulayam – Mayawati and Mamata – Left together? The BJP was afraid that ‘allies’ like Shiv Sena and AIADMK will back out in the Parliament.
Divided Opposition, Government’s Gain
Within three weeks after the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes were banned, the raging opposition just went quiet. Opposition parties screamed out against PM Modi while standing in their tents. But this defunct opposition didn’t seem to have the power to weaken PM Modi.
However, the scattering was felt even on 16 November when the united opposition launched their first attack on the government. Taking in account the hardships of the common man, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee marched from the Parliament to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. But by 28 November, when the so-called ‘Bharat Bandh’ happened, the united was evidently shattered.
What Led to this Division?
What actually led to the scattering of this fierce opposition? Reasons are: Individual ambitions, weak planning, immaturity and distrust.
Mamata – Lone Ranger
Let us first talk about Mamata Banerjee. Mamata waged war against the Centre on demonetisation. She rallied across Delhi, Patna, Lucknow and Kolkata, making multiple attacks on PM Modi. The deployment of the Army at various toll plazas across West Bengal was termed as the Centre’s coup. While protesting in Lucknow, Mamata even stated that PM Modi was a bigger dictator than Hitler.
This aggressive nature of Mamata Banerjee’s attacks did not go down well with other big players. All regional parties and the Congress were aiming for the elections of 2019. Mulayam and Mayawati felt that if Mamata leads the opposition and the third front is formed before 2019 elections, then Mamata will become the top Prime Ministerial candidate.
The Congress had three reasons to detach itself from Mamata. First – the Congress wants to be a ‘big brother’ for every opposition to the Centre, hence Mamata cannot be the leading face. Second – the Congress’ immaturity. Mamata has directly opposed demonetisation, where as the Congress – who is unaware of the political dividend of demonetisation – is fighting against inconvenience of the masses and the government’s mismanagement.
The third reason is lack of faith. Mamata’s relation with the BJP has been bittersweet. She has been the Railway Minster and the Coal Minister twice with the NDA in 1999. So, the Congress is in doubt that if Mamata leads the opposition and later cracks a deal with the BJP, the whole opposition will be wretched.
Kejriwal: Dancing to His Own Tunes
Like Mamata, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal has demanded the roll back of demonetisation. He has his own views and his own ways. But in the rally at the Azadpur Mandi of Delhi, Mamata Banerjee shrugged off the Delhi CM’s hand on stage.
Regional Parties and their Limitations
All parties are caught in regional constraints. The countdown for the Uttar Pradesh elections has begun. Combating each other in UP, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati cannot share the same stage. In West Bengal, the fight between the Left and Mamata is rooted in its very existence. So therefore, even if they are attacking the Centre on the same issue, they cannot stand together. Same is the case with the DMK and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu.
Since the NDA came to power in 2014, the opposition has not been able to play a strong role. Every individual is affected with demonetisation, this was an excellent opportunity for the opposition. But for now, they have clearly lost.
(The article was originally published in Quint Hindi)
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