By any reckoning, this is now the best of times for the BJP. It has re-asserted itself as the strongest political establishment while at the same time has the luxury of finding the Opposition in total disarray, the regional parties crestfallen and the Congress rudderless. Such a scenario imposes a heavy responsibility on the saffron party to present a better picture of itself. But, actions like the open-arms policy it extended to four Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members of the Rajya Sabha within days of installation of the new Modi government are indications of what lies ahead for the future.
At the minimum, the party’s accommodation of the four MPs does not inspire confidence about a change for the better. This, even granted that the Modi government badly needs more strength in the Upper House to see through key legislations and the TDP deserved a hard hit. Reports are that some of these MPs face serious cases of suspected wrongdoing in money deals, like wilful defaults after taking huge loans from banks etc. The BJP had itself equated them with the likes of Vijay Mallya, who fled the country after bleeding banks though major financial misdeeds. It’s natural for such men to avail the nearest opportunity, jump ship, and be safely ensconced in the ruling establishment. The cases against them by the ED, the CBI etc have not reached their logical conclusions yet. To that extent, these are crucial times. These MPs claiming they are innocent cannot be taken at face value.
One is judged by the company he keeps; so with political establishments too. Parties should, in the minimum, keep liabilities for the future at a safe distance. A cleansing of the political system demands as much. The reverse has happened here. The Congress party did not have a record of good conduct when it came to corruption. It was infested with corrupt elements also as it was the ruling party for long years.
While the BJP and PM Modi had a landslide victory in the LS polls this time, it must also be noted that they did not take the fight against corruption very seriously in their previous innings. The scenario overall has only worsened, though PM Modi and his ministers were not seen as corrupt. This, despite the stench of Rafale charges. Hope is that the PM and the BJP would acquit themselves well by taking positive steps and keeping the bad apples at bay.