Same foes, shifting stands

By K. K. Katyal

NEW DELHI, APRIL 30. A visibly angry Dr. Manmohan Singh bluntly tells the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, that his words in the concluding speech of the budget session contained a threat (of action against the Opposition) and, as such, are unacceptable. Mr. Vajpayee disclaims there was any threat, says he made only a general point - about moral standards. Dr. Singh disagrees sharply, sticks to his object. The Prime Minister says unwarranted meanings were read into his reference. The unsavoury exchange ends the way it began - abruptly.

That was at the Prime Minister's house on Sunday evening after the Maharashtra Governor, Dr. P. C. Alexander's book, India in the New Millennium, was released by Mr. Vajpayee. The function, held in the newly-constructed air- conditioned hall, was impeccable, what with a thought-provoking address by the author, good humour oozing out of the jolly performance of the Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. M. S. Gill (he was given the first copy) and, of course, the Prime Minister's remarks. The tea, after the main function, was an informal, agreeable, pleasant affair, with a small group of guests mingling, discussing the issues of the day. The most topical issue - the war of words between the Prime Minister and the Congress - could not have been left out. The exchange between the Prime Minister and Dr. Singh provided a glimpse into what India may be like in the initial phase of the new decade.

As Mr. Vajpayee explained before and after his brush with Dr. Singh, his reference to moral consideration was not directed against any particular person or a particular case or cases. He did not accept that it contained any significant allusion - ``no such thing. Only a general point''. He had issued a clarificatory statement, added the Prime Minister (reference to the one issued earlier on Sunday).

Avoidable episode

The third and final round of the Government-Congress confrontation, of which the Sunday evening episode was an offshoot, was avoidable. The Prime Minister could have done without the reference of the type he made in his concluding speech of the last day of the session. He wears two caps - one, of the Prime Minister as the head of the majority grouping and, two, of the leader of the House and this was an occasion when he needed to give expression to sentiments on behalf of all the sections, to project an image of consensus. By temperament, he was suited for that role. Quite an irony that the Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, peeved and stung by the Prime Ministerial remarks, found herself complaining to the Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, known for his hardline approach towards Mr. Vajpayee, associated with moderation.

No narration, howsoever competent and skilful, could do justice to what actually happened on the last day of the Parliament session. The body language of neither the Prime Minister nor of Ms. Gandhi could be conveyed in words. The gestures and gesticulation, the style and emphasis said a lot Sonia ore. ``Those asking for my resignation on moral grounds should be aware that there are a lot of issues on which moral considerations will not work one way'' - these words of the Prime Minister sounded ominous because of the manner of delivery. Some translated the Hindu word used by him as ``cases'' instead of ``issues''. This was interpreted by some to be a reference to the charges levelled against Ms. Gandhi by the Janata Party leader, Dr. Subramanian Swamy.

Advantage Opposition

The budget session had three distinct rounds. The first one, revolving round the Tehelka episode, showed the leading figures of the ruling side in a highly disagreeable light. The Government was stunned, dazed. The advantage was with the Opposition - the Congress and others.

Round two was marked by shiftiness in the Congress stand - from the demand of the Prime Minister's resignation to the call for a JPC. As a result, it failed to keep up the momentum. The Government, on the other hand, gathered its wits and was able to shift the focus away from Tehelka and all that it meant. In the third round, the Government side squandered the advantage, gained earlier - because of the Prime Minister's remarks.

The confrontation between the Government and the Congress looks like becoming a continuing feature. Any hope of a respite is not realistic - it could only get sharper.

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