New Delhi: Expressing opposition to the narrative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a country can only grow under the majoritarian rule, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said that even a coalition government can enjoy support of the House and take decision for the development of the nation.
Comparing the National Democratic Alliance government of 2014-19 with United Progressive Alliance government of 2004-09, Mahtab said that a number of decisions were taken during these 10 years but the only difference is that Dr Manmohan Singh was leading a coalition government while Narendra Modi is leading majoritarian government.
“The difference is that Dr Manmohan Singh was leading a coalition government yet the leadership could command adequate respect and in this government though the largest party, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), enjoyed full majority and had some other political parties as their alliance partner, it is not in a position to command that much of respect both inside the country and outside,” Mahtab said.
He further articulated that the narrative of dysfunctional coalition government has been proved wrong many times.
“It is not necessary that you should have a fractured mandate and coalition government, it cannot deliver the vote’. This has been proved wrong again and again. When a minority government led by PV Narasimha Rao and coalition government led by Dr Manmohan Singh – during whose tenure the new economic policy implemented in early 90s and atomic energy pact was done with the United States,” the BJD MP said.
He further said that there are many other instances but of course during the NDA regime steps like demonetization and GST have been taken. GST was supported by invariably all the political parties and the demonetization was an executive decision.
Significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while delivering valedictory speech on the last day of the 16th Lok Sabha, had lauded the achievements of his government and said all this achievements are due to a full majority government, as the world only recognizes a full mandate.
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