The Mirror Image

So, the Modi govt has repromulgated the much hated Land Acquisition Ordinance. The government had to do so as it couldn't get this bill passed in Rajya Sbha due to strong opposition and lack of numbers. Initially government hinted at some compromise, sent out feelers for some amendments, but as the day of lapse of Ordinance neared, it haughtily prorogued the RS to get the Ordinance instead of letting it lapse, in order to arrive at some consensus on the proposed amendments in the Land Acquisition Act of 2013. The government's insistence on re promulgating the controversial ordinance is baffling. The urgency isn't understandable. Studies have made it clear that the 2013 Act has not been proven an impediment to development so far. Some dissenting voices are there but they are no shriller than opposition to the ordinance in question. The question arises now that why this govt is bent upon bulldozing this bitter pill as some opposition parties are calling, down the neck of public? The answers are not forthcoming from this otherwise high decibel govt. Some impending land grabbing by an industrialist close to this govt may be a reason. But is this govt so foolish to antagonize people to please just one fund giver. Finance minister Arun Jaitley's farcical logic regarding defence installations being held up have already been discarded. And Some other prominent ministers have been saying that govt is open to some positive suggestions. But instead of holding wider consultations, the govt chose the re issuance of ordinance path. And, it may be considering a joint session of parliament to ram this bill through parliament with just brute force of majority in lower house. This insistence despite strong opposition to a particular piece of legislation reminds me of incidents of December 2012, when despite strong opposition the then UPA govt tried to push Lokpal bill in the middle of night. And when the then govt found it impossible, it simply prorogued the house despite members strongly favouring a continuance of session. Modi govt is about to complete a year in office. That's is past honeymoon period and full budget presentation. Now people will like to know what actually has changed since Man Mohan Singh demitted office. For general public nothing really has changed except a PM who wasn't making even a whisper to a PM who speaks too much. Other than that, nothing has changed, REALLY! We already have instances about how much similarly both governments respect parliamentary process. UPA launched schemes like MNREGA and Aadhar, which the then opposition party BJP derided much. But when they exchanged seats, now we find BJP in love of both these schemes and it loves them more than even the govt which started the scheme! When we discuss transparency, we find Modi gov't on the darker side. As leader of opposition Jaitley was shouting that govt should de classify the Henderson brooks report on 1962 Sino India war. He also strongly advocated Subhash Chandra Bose files to be made public. Now in govt Jaitley finds these demands are against national interest! Modi didn't give LoP post to Congress. And now he conveniently sits over the files of appointing a Lokpal or a CVC. RTI querries are stonewalled. Media interaction has mostly become PM or his ministers sermonizing the scribes or having a selfie competition! On black money issue, this govt has fared no better than the previous one. We increasingly find more logic being thrown by this govt on its inaction rather than some, at least some steps being carried out. On another front, Modi govt looks more like MMS govt is outrageous comments. We have Sakshi Maharajs, Sadhvi Niranjans and Mahant Adityanath safely and happily replacing arrogant ilk of Salman Khurshid,Kapil Sibal and Manish Tiwari. On economic front we don't miss MMS govt too. Rupee is ever sliding, inflation still beyond control. Tall investment announcements being made but no real ones coming. Revenue deficit threatening to dis balance gov't account as ever. Interest rates haven't come down despite finance minister's best efforts and even bullying the RBI. Modi govt can claim to have a robust foreign policy in place of a dithering one during MMS regime. But even a cursory look at this gov'ts Pakistan policy says it all. Starting from inviting Pak PM for swearing in, and then to cancellation of FS level talk and now again sending FS to Islamabad under the garb of SAARC nations visit by FS. In last ten months we have seen more flip flops by this govt on Pakistan has outdone the MMS gov'ts policy. Last year Modi govt cancelled FS level talks as Pak HC to India was meeting separatist Kashmiri leaders. Now when in its wisdom govt decided to renew talks, Pak HC is meeting with those leaders with more vengeance and Modi govt has been forced to send its second top diplomat, a former army chief to do a disgusting duty in Pakistan High Commission as guest of Pakistan Day! As PM Modi and his ministers make noisy claimes about changes in governance during their regime, people increasingly find Modi govt looking more like Mirror Image of MMS govt.