Indian Parliament is witnessing a stalemate. India’s reputation as an upholder of democratic principles is at stake. Citizens feel frustrated to watch on TV screens wrangles, sloganeering and shouting in both Houses of Parliament.
The government is in a tight position. This situation is the direct result of Adani affairs. Now the ruling dispensation also feels that it did not do a right thing by mortgaging Indian economy to a few favoured capitalists. The Indian Express has revealed that Adani Group was even granted defence production related contracts. This has further completed the web of allegations of favouring Adani Group at the cost of India’s security concerns. The fallout of Adani affair has not only smeared the reputation of the government but also endangered the present government and BJP’s prospects in 2024 elections.
Prime Minister Modi has chosen the old policy of keeping mum and allowing his MPs and ministers to participate in the day-to-day wrangles. He thought it not to speak one single word about the allegations of Rahul Gandhi about the favours showered on Adani Group. To top it all, the remarks and allegations and every reference to Adani affair have been deleted from the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament. This is unprecedented and against basic principles of Parliamentary democracy.
The government has gone so far in helping and supporting the Adani Group that if it withdraws its support now, it will have disastrous effects on the entire stockexchange market. It will be disastrous for investment both from within India and from abroad. The failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank also has sent shockwaves in Banking industry in India and several other countries.
As a fallout of Adani affair, the Opposition parties, some ten or more, have united their ranks. It has also resulted in projection of Rahul Gandhi as a formidable challenge to Modi. The present strategy of ruling BJP to continue the logjam in Parliament is its last resort to avoid threadbare discussion on Adani affair in Parliament. A detailed discussion of the big scam has the potential of exposing the wrongdoings of the government. People are watching with bated breaths and crossed fingers what unfolds in the next few days. Citizens are watching desperately the results of misgovernance and support to crony capitalism. Who wins the war in Parliament is less important. What is more important is the heavy cost Indian economy is bound to pay.