​Prime time: On the Government and the Opposition

The Prime Minister’s parliamentary interventions are always keenly watched, as they are expected to provide the clearest insights into the government’s priorities and its responses to pressing concerns and criticisms, particularly from the Opposition. This week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke extensively in both Houses. However, his speeches largely sidestepped critical national issues. Key developments such as the inhumane way in which Indian deportees were flown back by the United States, the stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, and the transformative advancements in Artificial Intelligence, each with significant implications for India’s future, received little to no substantive acknowledgment. Instead, Mr. Modi’s speeches relied heavily on campaign slogans, minimal engagement with the Opposition, and repeated attacks on past governments, particularly the Congress. He even took a dig at the fact that Sonia Gandhi and her children, Rahul and Priyanka, have become Members of Parliament simultaneously. His speech also made mention of Ms. Gandhi’s poorly chosen words when she referred to President of India Droupadi Murmu as a “poor thing”, as well as Leader of the Opposition’s Rahul Gandhi’s controversial remark about his political fight being against the Indian state. While Mr. Modi undoubtedly scored political points, his addresses fell short of providing the country with the reassurance and clarity needed on key domestic and global challenges. In an increasingly uncertain world, foreign policy must remain above partisan bickering, and the government must do more to build consensus on India’s development trajectory, particularly in the face of rapid technological disruption. Rahul Gandhi’s argument for India to develop its own AI model and indigenous production ecosystem resonates with a broad segment of the population, and the government would do well to engage with such ideas rather than dismiss them outright.

Mr. Modi can rightfully claim credit for some of the better governance initiatives that have shaped India’s trajectory since 2014. However, slogans alone cannot resolve mounting challenges. The government’s legislative agenda, rhetoric, and refusal to be accountable on crucial issues indicate a lack of effort in forging a cohesive national vision. While it may argue that its stance is merely a response to an adversarial Opposition, it ultimately remains the government’s responsibility to lead, govern, and deliver. At a time when political hostility is at its peak, what India needs most is a shift toward constructive engagement and consensus-building, something only the government can initiate.