People's Democracy

NDA Boycott: Disruptionist Tactics

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on July 27, 2004.

THE decision of the NDA to boycott all parliamentary committees is condemnable. The BJP-led alliance has displayed an immature and irresponsible attitude in Parliament ever since it lost the Lok Sabha elections. Right from the debate on the President’s address, the BJP-led opposition has disrupted proceedings repeatedly during the budget session.

By cynically raising the so-called “tainted ministers” issue, the BJP has adopted a confrontationist attitude whose sole aim is to create difficulties for the new government to function. This approach went to the extent of not allowing even the Speaker to make a statement in the House.

The BJP leadership should reconsider the boycott decision and be prepared to work democratically within Parliament and outside in raising the issues which it feels strongly about. Failure to do so will only reinforce the negative image it has acquired by its behaviour in Parliament.