Opposition is an important and integral part of democracy, which
is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
We have two main national political parties in the country; both
have a country-wide presence down to the grassroots level.
But, every day we either read, or see that the opposition only
criticizes the government, without any constructive suggestion or views. Being
in the opposition does not just mean to always oppose the government in every
action or every policy decision it takes. This only reduces the growth and
development of the country.
While the main role of the Opposition is to question the
government and hold them accountable to the public, it shares equal
responsibility with the government to act in the best interests of the
citizens.
The Opposition should participate in all policies, programsand
matters of national interest in a constructive manner. If they do not agree with
the government projects on merit, they should come out with constructive
initiation and undertake parallel projects. The idea is not to work only when
in power. They can do CSR projects and get enough funding to work, as long as
they have the desire to work.
For example, if the opposition does not agree with Ayushman
Bharat scheme, they should come out with a scheme, which is better than
Ayushman Bharat.
And, instead of only criticizing the government on construction
of toilets as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to make the country open
defecation free (ODF), the opposition can adopt villages and construct better
toilets there for people to use, as a scheme that is more successful than the
ODF scheme of the government.
A large percentage of the population still defecates in the
open, although this number is coming down. Elimination of open defecation is a
hugely ambitious goal, yet an admirable one. Change in public behavior could go
a long way in making this program a success. If the opposition cannot come out
with a better scheme, they should participate wholeheartedly in this mission
and join hands with the government to make it a success.Being ODF means being
free of many infectious diseases.They can help in bringing about a behavioral
change by educating the public about the benefits of sanitation and waste
management.
This holds true for politics everywhere. A strong and vigilant
opposition, which is constructive in its approach to all matters of national
interest, has a lot to contribute to national development.
“The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any
other sensible human being, always learns more from his opposition than from
his fervent supporters”said,
Walter Lippmann, an American writer and political commentator.
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma
Shri Awardee
President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)
Group
Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President
Heart Care Foundation of India
Immediate Past National President IMA
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