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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term has begun under immense pressure, as the opposition has gained significant ammunition to challenge the government on a range of issues, from exam irregularities to security incidents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term has begun under immense pressure, as the opposition has gained significant ammunition to challenge the government on a range of issues, from exam irregularities to security incidents.
In the past three weeks, a string of events has put the spotlight on the Modi administration, giving the opposition I.N.D.I.A. alliance ample opportunities to go on the offensive. The latest trouble for the government came in the form of irregularities in the UGC-NET exam, which had to be cancelled and a CBI investigation ordered. This came close on the heels of the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG tests, which has brought thousands of students to the streets.
The opposition, led by the Congress party, has made it clear that they will be raising the decibel levels on the NEET and UGC-NET issues both inside and outside Parliament. The Congress has announced a nationwide protest on Friday against the irregularities in the NEET exam, which will now be extended to include the issue of the UGC-NET test as well. The opposition sees these issues as an opportunity to further connect with the youth, building on their Lok Sabha campaign that highlighted problems related to exams, recruitment, and paper leaks.
Moreover, the opposition believes that the developments would be advantageous for them, as they believe alliance partners like the TDP and JD(U) would not be vociferous in defending the government, given that the BJP does not have a majority on its own. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has even expanded the ambit of their protests by referring to the National Recruitment Agency (NRA), set up to hold job tests, remaining “completely defunct” and not conducting a single test in the last four years.
The opposition’s offensive is not limited to the exam issues alone. They will also be targeting the government over the train mishap in West Bengal, with Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw coming under the radar. Additionally, the violence in Manipur and the four terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir within four days of Modi’s swearing-in have also put the government on the spot.
Alongside these issues, the joint opposition also seeks to corner the Modi government over what it calls a “stock market scam” linked to “manipulated exit polls” during the upcoming Parliament session. The opposition is determined to hold the government accountable and ensure greater transparency, a stark contrast to the past decade when the Modi government was able to largely sideline parliamentary procedures.
As the Modi government navigates these challenges, the opposition’s aggressive approach and the potential cracks within the NDA coalition could make the Prime Minister’s third term a tumultuous one, marked by intense political battles and heightened scrutiny.
