Are Politicians Pulling A ‘Fast One’ On Us?

This year’s Budget session of the Parliament ended as the least productive in 18 years.

Allegations and counter allegations have flown thick and ‘fast’ among political parties ever since the Budget session of Parliament ended as the least productive in 18 years. Even as voters rue the man hours and taxpayer money wasted on a washed-out session, political parties have resorted to a series of fasts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will observe a day-long fast on 12 April along with Members of Parliament of the Bharatiya Janata Party to protest “undemocratic” actions of the opposition Congress, PTI reported. The announcement comes a day after Congress leaders including Party President Rahul Gandhi observed a token fast to protest atrocities against Dalits.

Everyone is making a point, but what the point is, is not very clear. And in the meantime, the ruling BJP gets an opportunity to say ‘we want to get work done, but they won’t let us’.

Aditi Phadnis, Political Editor, Business Standard

R Jagannathan, editorial director at Swarajya Magazine agrees. The government is trying to reclaim some “moral high ground” after failing to run the Budget session, he says.

People will take all fasts with a pinch of salt and some chole bhature.  

R Jagannathan, Editorial Director, Swarajya Magazine

Jagannathan is referring to pictures that did the rounds before the Congress Party’s fast on Monday, showing leaders tucking in local snacks before embarking on a symbolic fast.

Political watchers raise doubts over how much traction such fasts have. “People will think they are just trying pull a fast one,” says Jagannathan.

(This story was first published on BloombergQuint.)