Opposition Wanted!

16 January 2015 06:30 pm - 2 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Who will play the watchdog role?

I was watching a political ‘debate’ on a private TV channel last night, but got entirely confused and frightened. What used to be a heated debate earlier has turned out to be a non-debate, where all participants were taking a common stand having a free ride. Will this happen in Parliament also?

I strongly felt that the programme was missing something – what was it? An Opposition. Where are the counter arguments? Who maintains the checks and balances? Who plays the watchdog role?

But isn’t it the reality of the day? Where is the Opposition? Or who is the Opposition? And what are the guarantees to ensure that this phenomenon will not transpire in Parliament when it convenes next week?

"The entire electioneering process focused on one cardinal slogan – democracy and good governance, which require a strong functioning opposition who keep checks and balances on the government. All political theories envisage the need of a healthy opposition for a strong democracy."

The entire electioneering process focused on one cardinal slogan – democracy and good governance, which require a strong functioning opposition who keep checks and balances on the government. All political theories envisage the need of a healthy opposition for a strong democracy. In fact one could comfortably argue the fact that the previous regime played so called havoc due to the absence of a strong opposition. The UPFA had a comfortable playing field with a two thirds majority and a weak opposition for the past five years. Only a few fire-brands like Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sujeewa Senasinghe, Harin Fernando and even Ranjan Ramanayaka were left on the floor. Dayasiri Jayasekera was bought over and it was a major blow to the Opposition.

But my confusion is mainly about the role of Opposition in the current political landscape. The usual practice is the loosing team sits on the Opposition but who is the looser here? For my own reading as of today the only looser is the Rajapaksa clan, but not the UPFA or SLFP for that matter. Of course it was a race between two candidates – Mahinda and Maithree and Maithree won. Then the Mahinda camp should play the role of Opposition. Even with the post-polls individual cross overs which would provide the new Prime Minister with necessary numbers, there should be a visible Opposition that should provide the balance of power within the House.

But the current political trend suggests otherwise. President Maithripala Sirisena has won another battle of gaining the control of SLFP. Though he vowed to fight back just after the defeat, Mahinda Rajapakse has accepted the reality and decided to step down. Thus, SLFP President and UNP Prime Minister.[We had a similar situation in 2001 but in a different context then when Ranil and Chandrika were arch rivals]. According to some internal sources SLFP may also contest under the Swan symbol at the forthcoming general elections. If this is true, there will be another battle for nominations between the two major political forces and it will be more fierce if it is going to be under the new electoral system.Be that as it may, my worry is the way of securing a strong Opposition even during this 100-day period and also in the next Parliament.

One could argue on the validity of an Opposition when there was going to be a national government as had been envisioned in the Maithree manifesto. But please do not forget the fact that national government does not mean a one-party [or one coalition] rule which undermines the basics of democracy in which an Opposition is a must.

The old Communist and Sama Samaja Party stalwarts have already voiced their opposition against any UNP-led government. But would these Dinosaurs form a strong Opposition within and outside the House?

The obvious choice would be the JVP. They had a strategic stand during the campaign process where it never openly requested whom to vote, but stood strongly against Rajapakse. Also JVP, particularly its current leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka has managed to regain its lost glory and win the trust of many of its listeners. Of course, it is an undoubted fact that JVP was a leading force in defeating Rajapakse. People would not vote for the JVP in millions but millions would listen to them before voting to others. Thus their voice does matter and its political machinery at grass root level is still effective albeit the defection of the Gunaratnam group which was exposed as a Rajapakse mouth-piece during the last presidential polls. JVP had a challenge from the Sarath Fonseka camp of becoming a third largest political force in the country, but I do not think that factor is valid anymore.

In a peculiar scenario where the two major political forces come together and others like Hela Urumaya and Sarath Fonseka, too, joining the same platform, the non-corrupt JVP would have a better opportunity of leading the opposition camp. With Anura’s leadership, to my mind, they would do a better job in keeping checks and balances provided they receive sufficient numbers in the next Parliament. But it should have a good bargaining deal with TNA for the post of Opposition Leader for which Anura Kumara would be the ideal candidate. Too much of hypothesis?

Order Gifts to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Vegetables, Grocery, Flowers, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,News, Courier/Delivery, Food Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka.

Sell your vehicle & house fast with hitad.lk only cost is Rs.400, Advertise in Hitad.lk for free to sell your mobile phone. Want to sell your Pet, Advertise for Free in hitad.lk Search for Houses in Sri Lanka and find the best place through Hitad.lk find your best tuition place. Find the best partner for you, visit hitad.lk Find anything at any time hitad.lk.

Comments - 2

bandara Monday, 19 January 2015 07:21 AM

JVP as a third force? If not for the media, there is no JVP. That is a fact.

Sam Saturday, 17 January 2015 06:17 PM

Well, the counter arguments will be collected by the people and the verdict will be given by them. But I am confident that the way the political culture is heading good governance will be established and checks and balances will be done by the two heads of state who are experienced. Above all the unassuming nature of the present president will pave the way for a better tomorrow with dignity and there will be no place for corruption, nepotism and thuggery. Even now the signs have emerged with regards to good governance

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Opposition Wanted!

Who will play the watchdog role?

"The entire electioneering process focused on one cardinal slogan – democracy and good governance, which require a strong functioning opposition who keep checks and balances on the government. All political theories envisage the need of a healthy opposition for a strong democracy."

Comments - 2

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Good and bad violence

Celebrating the life and service of Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thera: Adored for his relentless service to Buddhism and Nation

Rashini Ready to Fight Cancer, but needs help

Student’s basic right to education trampled due to ‘hair issue’

Sajith will lead SL soon but this time he failed in his decision making - Harin

Shocking inside stories of the sugar scam

Sri Lankans stuck between hunting for essentials and fighting for good governance

Most Viewed in News

Yoshitha and wife return to SL on Tuesday midnight

Did Nasheed meet Mahinda to offer him a safe haven in Maldives?

Airforce denies MP Arundika Fernando’s claim that he served in SLAF

4.5mn employees from 4,500 SMEs to lose jobs in months ahead: SLUNBA

Basil fights back to save his political future as RW pushes for 21A today

MR attends Parliament sessions

TODAY'S HEADLINES

BASIL FIGHTS BACK TO SAVE HIS POLITICAL FUTURE AS RW PUSHES FOR 21A TODAY

Gen. Shavendra Silva to step down as Army Chief; remains as CDS

President seeks international assistance to overcome economic crisis

Board appointed to probe recent violence in the country

MIRROR CRICKET

England take early T20I series lead over Sri Lanka

New Zealand clinch World Test title

LPL 2nd edition from July 30-August 22-SLC

Sanath Jayasuriya signs as coach at Melbourne cricket club Mulgrave

Bangladesh top order stumbles after Mathews, Chanidmal hit tons

Abeykoon renews Sri Lanka 100m record

Mathews, Dhananjaya keep Sri Lanka alive in Bangladesh Test

Australian day-night matches to go ahead – SLC