What happens to our political vigilance?

The legislative assembly elections are round the corner. The UDF government is in haste holding marathon cabinet meetings and taking numerous crucial decisions in a dubious manner. The decisions are not made public and even the opposition of the assembly is unknown of the moves made by the government. This unfortunate situation could have been prevented if the government had true commitment to the ideal etiquettes of the democracy.

The term of Oommen Chandy government is ending on 18^th May. Once the Election Commission announces the notification, the Chief Minster can neither take any decisions nor organize fanfare programmes. So, the government these days is engaged in round the clock schedule of inaugurations and foundation laying ceremonies. Let it take its due course. After all, the power to give the verdict is with the people and they are well aware of all these gimmicks. However, the citizens deserve to know the details of the special cabinet meetings held frequently.

It is reported that thousands of files are approved in every meeting. Files which are not prior scheduled in the agenda are considered by each minister. Cautious of the present political scenario, the Chief Minister who is bound to point out the illegality of such moves is opting to turn a blind eye. To inform the people of the cabinet decisions is an accepted practice; at least through a press statement. But such etiquettes are skipped by the Chandy government. It has adopted an irreparable course of action to squeeze maximum benefits before its term expires. Such a conduct is not expected from a government which aspires to continue in the reign.

Rampant complaints are rising against the government’s moves which transgress the customary practices and accepted criteria. Earlier in the week, the High Court had stopped the move to appoint Vinson M. Paul as Chief Information Commissioner of the State. There are nefarious moves at national and state level to deprave the information commission which was constituted after a long struggle carried out across the country. It was reported that the commissions were appointed by transgressing the prevailing laws and conditions prescribed by the law. The appointment criteria require that the commission should be an expert in various fields. But, in the case of Vinson M. Paul’s appointment, we have seen how a statutory body was used for the interests of the ruling parties. It is more deplorable that the opposition still does not raise an effective criticism against such moves. If a government derails itself, the Opposition has the responsibility to rise against it and rectify it. The government would not have dared to transgress the limits in such a callous manner if there was a vigilant Opposition.

One can realize the gravity of the disease the state has been affected with the Opposition choosing to remain silent and nonchalant when Oommen Chandy government is boasting of a ‘golden era’ through every available media space.