The Role of The Opposition
Benjamin Disraeli’s dictum that “No Government can long be secure without a formidable Opposition,” stresses its importance in a democratic government. Without a healthy, effective Opposition, the Government will become autocratic and try to deprive the people of their rights and privileges.
In the British Parliament, as also in India, the role of the Opposition has been officially recognized me leader of the Opposition has the rank of a cabinet minister and has a good salary. According to Dr. Jennings, Prime Minister of England knows more about the leader of the Opposition than about his own wife. The Opposition in Britain acts with great sense of responsibility and discipline.
A strong and vigilant Opposition does not allow the Government to go off the rails. It often attacks it for it’s’ slackness and complacency. It exposes the corruption and nepotism shown by those in the saddle. It often reminds ‘ the Government of the promises made by the ruling party at the time of elections and its failure to carry them out. The maxim of the opposition should be “While I will obey promptly, I will censure freely” (Bentham).
The Opposition can form a bridge between the rulers and the ruled. At times the public will have some grievances. The ruling party may overlook them. Then the Opposition can ‘mention the grievances in Parliament or State Legislative and ask the Government to redress them expeditiously.
During war, the Opposition can help the people to keep their morale and ask them to remain united for the … integrity of their motherland. The Opposition buries the hatchet and offers full support and courage to the ruling party.
The Opposition should avoid armchair criticism and study each issue properly. Only then- should it criticize the Government? It should not instigate the people to unnecessary agitation: Some Opposition parties acted irresponsibly immediately before the declaration of Emergency in India (June 26 1975). They wanted the police and the armed forces to rise in revolt against the government, if the orders issued to them were unjust. The stability of the country was in jeopardy, but the Emergency quelled the activities of .those who were trying to hold the country to ransom and hinder peaceful economic development.
In India, the Opposition parties have no unity. They remain weak. All the same, on several occasions, they have tried their best to expose the corruption and the autocratic actions of the Government and create public opinion against them.
