'What recent cabinet reshuffles by BJP and Congress reveal about state of parliamentary democracy': Suhas Palshikar

[Sukla Sen]

That's a dangerous position, which quite violently contradicts Palshikar's own usual position.

The line is that all are equally bad - at least almost equally.

The logical inference - whether one consciously intends it or not, that follows is, hence, no point targeting the BJP as a special case and waging an all-out battle against it - in alliance with the rest, or the willing ones from amongst the rest.

The fact is that despite all flaws, faults and even (at times, huge) crimes, no other party poses remotely as much threat to "India" - its "democratic" edifice and the "pluralist" norms with all the accompanying shortcomings, as the BJP does; not even the Shiv Sena - when acting alone.

On the contrary, most are broadly - with all the failings, committed to "India"; the level of commitment, however, widely varies.

In fact, the Project Demolition (of "India"), which is already underway, has made considerable progress and the "New India" is being erected - still bit by bit, over its ruins.

However, the rapidly narrowing window of opportunity - for a decisive pushback, is yet to completely close.

In order to survive, each of us must make the most of that opportunity still available.

No time for bitter frustrations and laments etc.

...(A)ll party tactics lead to electoral considerations. If the above moves too are seen from that prism, they give a chillingly pessimistic message. They tell us that parties hope to win elections on contingent optics, tentative accommodations and last-minute shows of course correction rather than on the basis of policies, programmes or performance.

(Excepted from: <https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/what-recent-cabinet-reshuffles-by-bjp-and-congress-reveal-about-state-of-parliamentary-democracy-7542626/>.)