THE Opposition is working itself into a fine lather over the Natwar Singh controversy and there is nothing objectionable about such an agenda. It is perfectly legitimate for those occupying the opposition benches to raise issues of grave national concern in a voice that attracts attention and in a manner that demands action. Indeed, the issues sought to be raised in the present instance are ones that merit serious scrutiny and discussion, whether it is that concerning the breach of parliamentary privilege over the leak of the Justice Pathak inquiry report, or whether it is the report’s alleged inaccuracies and general whitewashing of the Congress Party’s role in the oil-for-food scam. Which is precisely what intrigues us. Why should an Opposition, armed with substantive political ammunition, choose to desert the field of battle by paralysing Parliament? What logic causes the NDA to opt for a one-day boycott of the Lok Sabha at this critical stage of the debate? Such an oppositional strategy strikes us as plain extraordinary or, to put it more explicitly, extraordinarily silly.

The BJP’s pique is apparently provoked by what it perceives as the Lok Sabha Speaker’s unhelpful stance. No less a figure than Atal Bihari Vajpayee has felt constrained to pen a missive about the disappointing way in which the House is being run. He believes that “legislative proceedings can be smooth and constructive only if the presiding officer is able to inspire as much confidence in the Opposition as he is able to do in the ruling party”. Now when a former prime minister speaks out, we cannot but take note. This newspaper does not hold a brief for Somnath Chatterjee and it has never failed to criticise him when the situation demanded such censure. The present moment does not. If the Speaker’s ‘crime’, as it appears to be, was merely an anxiety to prevent the unnecessary adjournment of the House, we cannot but empathise with him.

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