Even as the second phase of the ongoing budget session is set to commence from March 10, the opposition seems to be struggling to regain its footing and assert its relevance in Indian politics.
Despite glaring vulnerabilities like the unprecedented volatility in share markets, growing unemployment and inflation, weak rupee and repeated mishaps on the railways network, the opposition parties in the country have been unable to gherao the Narendra Modi government on these issues.
This has raised a serious concern regarding the opposition’s ability in taking on the Modi government.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election results offered a glimmer of hope for opposition, as the Congress and its allies made surprising inroads into BJP strongholds, denying Narendra Modi the supermajority he had anticipated.
In recent months, the Modi-led government has faced a barrage of criticism over economic and governance challenges. These issues, by any measure, present a fertile ground for a robust opposition to challenge the ruling BJP. However, the opposition has seemingly completely lost the plot.
The stock market, often touted as a barometer of economic health under Modi’s tenure, has seen sharp declines at times, shaking investor confidence. Unemployment, a persistent thorn in the side of the government, has reached unprecedented levels. Inflation has spiraled, driving up the cost of essentials like food and fuel, and eroding the purchasing power of the average Indian. The rupee’s depreciation against the dollar has further compounded these woes, raising import costs and fueling economic unease. Add to this the railway system’s struggles—marked by delays, accidents, and administrative lapses—and the government appears ripe for political reckoning.
These conditions should, in theory, galvanize the opposition into a formidable force, capable of rallying public discontent and holding the government accountable. However, the opposition’s response has been surprisingly muted, raising questions about its relevance and efficacy.
Opposition’s Struggles: A Crisis of Cohesion
One of the most significant hurdles facing the opposition is its lack of unity which has been displayed clearly in the recent electoral wins by BJP in Delhi, Maharashtra and Haryana.
The Congress, once the dominant force in Indian politics, has been weakened by internal strife and a perceived leadership vacuum. Rahul Gandhi, despite occasional bursts of vigor, has failed to consistently match PM Modi’s relentless campaigning and charisma. Smaller regional parties, such as the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have struggled to present a cohesive national alternative. The opposition’s attempts at forming INDI bloc alliance have been hampered by infighting, differing ideologies, and a failure to articulate a unified vision.
This fragmentation has allowed the BJP government to weather storms that might otherwise have been politically fatal. For instance, while the opposition has criticized the government over unemployment and inflation, it has often failed to translate these critiques into a compelling narrative that resonates with voters. Instead, the BJP has adeptly shifted focus to emotive issues—cultural nationalism, security, and infrastructure achievements—drowning out the opposition’s economic arguments.
The BJP has seemingly capitalized on the opposition’s disarray, painting it as a chaotic coalition incapable of governing.
The forthcoming sittings of Parliament could very well signal whether the Opposition is able to reinvent, crafting a clear, positive agenda that addresses the bread-and-butter issues like jobs, prices, and economic security. And a unified opposition leadership, strategic alliances, and grassroots mobilization are critical to this effort.
