Opposition Party in Indian Parliamentary Democracy- Concept, Background, Nature & Importance

Opposition Party in Indian Parliamentary Democracy-

Concept, Background, Nature & Importance.

                                                                                           Dr. Shubhangi Rathi

Associate Professor & H.O.D. Political Science,

Smt. P.K. Kotecha Mahila Mahavidhalaya, Bhusawal

The common people belive that a healthy Parliamentary opposition is essential for the sound working of democracy. There is a vigilant opposition, constantly on the alert and keep an eye on the government's policies and actions. When there are well-informed critics.  They are ever ready to expose the wrongs committed by the government. It can bring to light its acts of omission and commission. The ruling party can hardly afford to be slack and negligent in the performance of its duty towards the country to provide an efficient and sound administration.

The parliamentary system of government works very smoothly. There are two principal political parties. The one out of power ever ready to take over the reins of the administration whenever the majority party is voted out of office, or resigns on a major issue, or is reduced to a minority as a result of defections or resignations of members.

Origin of the Opposition:

The British Parliament is commonly acknowledged to be the "Mother of Parliaments". It has also been the best model of a system. The Opposition is officially recognized as Majesty's Opposition.

The largest minority party constitutes the official Opposition in the British Parliament, with its own leader and its own council. It is popularly known as the "Shadow Cabinet". The leader of the Opposition in Britain (and in most parliamentary democracies around the world) is accorded official recognition and provided several facilities to enable him to function adequately. He is regarded as the future Prime Minister, since his party, especially in Britain, offers a viable alternative to the government of the day.

Nature of Opposition Party:

§  India has been accepted there is a parliamentary system of government, according to which the party with the highest majority through a general election is entitled to form the government and its leader becomes the Prime Minister of the country.

§  The second largest party becomes the opposition party. Its leader enjoys the status of the leader of opposition. The ruling party means the government during its tenure is free to determine the policies, programmes and make decisions for the welfare of the common people.

§  The opposition parties have a very significant role in a democracy.  Because they are the representatives of the people to safeguard their interests. Time to time, they criticize the government in case it fails to keep its promises.

§  The opposition parties also warn the government.  They think it necessary. Sometimes they show their protest too against the government. Thus they try to keep the government aware of all the issues. So that everything may be on the right path and all round development may be seen in the country.

§  The most dominant role of the opposition in a democracy is that of a 'watch dog' of the system. In a country where there is a two party system, the opposition party forms a 'shadow cabinet' and remains vigilant over the performance of the government.

Legal status of Opposition Party in India:

In India at present there are 9 national parties and 50 State-parties recognised by the Election Commission. Article 19 of the Constitution accords citizens the right to form associations. Except this implicit recognition of the right to form political associations. There is no constitutional or statutory provision regarding formation and functioning of political parties in India.

Representation of the People Act (R.P.Act), 1951, to exclude expenditure incurred by political parties from the statement of accounts lodged by contesting candidates. In India few candidates who become the Member of Parliament they change their party for the simple reason. This culture of political system is ‘Ayaram and Gayaram. Later, in 1985, political parties found place in the Constitution through the 52nd Amendment. Through this amendment, a new Tenth Schedule was added to the Constitution. This disqualified members defecting from a party in numbers amounting to less than 1/3 of the party’s strength in legislature. In 1989, Section 29A was inserted in the RP Act, 1951 making provision for registration of political parties with the Election Commission.

Importance of Opposition Party:

         Political Parties never try to extend their support to the ruling party in their welfare measures. Instead they only oppose the government, which is in no way a healthy atmosphere for the progress of the country. All the parties think only for the next election not for the next generation. The opposition must realize their responsibility and work for the country. Only a responsible opposition party can bring success to the ideals of our constitution.

         The Election Commission publicly stated that more than 700 of the 4072 State legislators (MLAs) have criminal records against them. Several known murderers, rapists, goondas and extortionists were nominated, and later elected, as party candidates. There is no major State in which hoodlums and crime lords did not assume the high office of ministers. Even among those legislators who have no criminal background, many depend habitually on crime syndicates and muscle men for winning elections. Money, muscle, liquor, cast, mass power, cost etc. became the new determinants of power. Parties are known to have nominated candidates in exchange for money bags. Incorruptible and dignified party men are sidelined systematically. Known goondas and rowdy shooters with blood stains on their hands, and heinous crimes to their credit are now welcomed with open arms and great fanfare into major political parties. Legislative and ministerial offices have become safe.  Employees are corrupt record. Money, muscle power and political power play vital role in political parties.

Role of opposition Parties:

            Democracy provides an outlet and a safety valve for the people's anger and frustration, and this outlet is open criticism of the government, whenever and wherever it does something wrong, or fails to adopt the right course as demanded by the public interest.

Thus, the public shares the role of the Opposition whenever occasion demands it. The Press also plays a vital role in a democracy. It is the popular forum of educating the public and also expressing the public viewpoint.

If the Opposition behaves irresponsibly, and indulges in unhealthy, destructive criticism, instead of constructive discussions, the entire democratic fabric is endangered. Both sides—the ruling party and the Opposition—have to observe the rules of the game.

Prof. Stephan says by “turning vital ‘non-issues’ into issues”, and also by “creating new structures of participation, transparency and ultimately accountability’’, the opposition is indeed helping to deepen democracy.

He then went ahead to list the five key functions for the democratic opposition.

They are:

·         Resisting integration into the ruling regime

·         Guarding zones of autonomy against the ruling regime

·         Disputing the legitimacy of the ruling regime

·         Raising the cost of authoritarian rule and

·         Creating credible democratic alternative.

              The functions listed above are by no means exhaustive.

The democratic opposition is also expected to offer political alternatives;

Ø  To articulate and promote the interest of the voters

Ø  To offer alternatives to the decisions proposed by the government and the major representatives

Ø  To improve parliamentary decision-making procedures by ensuring debate, reflection and contradiction

Ø  To scrutinize the legislative and budgetary proposals of the government  and

Ø  To ensure stability, legitimacy, accountability and transparency in the political process.

           A political party that is not in power plays the opposition role. The opposition role is a very important to check and control to go into government. A few big parties assume the role of opposition, that is, they claim to be the opposition, even though they do not play the opposition role.

Political parties are the arbiters of politics and the nation’s fate in a true sense. They exercise enormous influence on public discourse. They drown all other voices literally by the noise levels they generate. They occupy endless newspaper space and radio and television time. They have a direct impact on public policy affecting millions of lives. Their agitations on real or contrived issues paralyse all economic and social life. We only have to 4 witness a ‘Rasta Roko” or a “Bandh’ or a ‘Hartal’ organized by this party or that  to understand the power of a handful of persons, often armed with sticks, stones  and chains, once they have a party banner in front of them and a slogan on their  lips. Yet the political parties in India are least understood, little-studied and obscure.

Suggestions:

Ø  The citizens of a democratic country must be thinking possessing independent opinions and capable of taking intelligent interest in public affairs.

Ø  It has been rightly said that the success of a democracy depends upon the ability, character and what is no less important, the power of discrimination which the people are expected to possess.

Ø  Education produces rational human beings, and the power of thinking develops the power to discriminate between good and bad.

Ø  A citizen is expected to develop the power of vigilance and the ability to distinguish between chalk and cheese.

Ø  In fact, democracy is reduced to an empty show if the citizens begin to behave like sheep and dumb cattle and develop the crowd mentality of being driven whichever way the leaders dictate.

Ø  A vigilant public also plays the role of the Opposition. Democracy, after all, is participation in the administration in a responsible manner

Conclusion:

Lastly we can conclude that the role of political parties is important in parliamentary democracy. But in India no one apposite party is powerful. The policy of every party in India seem to be the ‘Old wine and New Bottle’ or ‘New patch on old cloth’ they are divided in various groups.

Political parties are the sole cause of our crisis of governance. Good behavior is not rewarded and bad behavior is not punished in our system; indeed good behavior is often penalized and bad behavior is rewarded consistently and extravagantly! In our scheme of things, public authorities have severe restrictions in promoting public good, whereas there is no check on abuse of power for personal gain and patronage. But need of today is develop the powerful apposition group. As well as people must awake.  They should not entice to the bait given by the politicians. This is the need of hour to take stand to protect the nation duties.

References:

1.       Gokhale B. K. (2005). Political Science: Mumbai, Himalaya Publishing House

2.       Johari J.C. (1989). Principles of Modern Political Science: New Delhi, Sterling Publishers Private Ltd.

3.       Dr. Rathi Shubhangi (2013). Political Ideologies: Aurangabad, Kailash Publications.

4.       Jain M. P.: Political Theory (1987).Authors Guild Publications

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