Editorial
A low key end to 9th JS
Opposition boycott a dominant feature
As we look into the picture of attendance by opposition MPs in the 9th parliament on which curtain has been drawn we are struck by a sense of disquiet. A mere total of 76 sittings out of 418 were attended by them, that too riddled with walkouts, and lack of quorum for which the ruling party had to be blamed.
The opposition's obligations to the parliament were three-fold. First, they represented the constituencies that elected them MPs. Importance of this function could not be measured in terms of number of seats in the parliament but the percentage of votes polled by them, which was substantial. Secondly, they were to play a watchdog role. Thirdly, opposition is considered a government in waiting. Sorry to say, on all these three counts, BNP largely failed to meet public expectations.
Inadequate or almost no space for the opposition to speak on the floor of the House has been identified as a key reason for their being absent in the JS . Since the opposition gave the ruling party walkover, their demand for space stood a little diluted. All the same, the government had its share of responsibility in turning the 9th parliament into a one-sided affair.
Ironically though, the boycotting MPs never flinched from enjoying perks, privileges and allowances that go with their elected positions. As if to reinforce the mindset, they would end boycott only to retain membership under a provision that debarred 90 days of continuous absence in parliament.
A vibrant parliament is only achievable through regular turnouts of all its members.
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