Why India is left disgusted with this Parliament session

The word wastrel comes to mind when I think of the last four weeks I spent in New Delhi attempting to attend Parliament. My change of status from a workaholic to wastrel was made worse by the fact that I had missed yet another summer break with the family working on the GST and Real Estate bills, only to discover that all that effort amounted to nothing, as an obstructed and disrupted Parliament and in particular Rajya Sabha did not pass even one bill in the entire monsoon session.

While disruption of Parliament isn't a unique phenomenon - this session was "different" at many fundamental levels. While the focus is on nothing getting done, the real focus should be on the things that did not get done. The bills that didn't get passed like the GST and Real estate bills represent an opportunity lost and an opportunity cost. India's economy is only slowly limping back to a path of stability and growth, with the first signs of investment cycle restarting. Inflation is moderating and Industrial growth in the first quarter is on the rise. The introduction of GST on April 2016 and revival of real estate sector both have been put on the back burner with serious consequences for the economy in coming months.

Much has been written and said about this session but the question remains why? What on earth caused our political parties especially the Congress to go on this kind of rampage and obstruction?

While there will be necessary soundbites about Lalit Modi gate etc, a dispassionate assessment gets us to this - that this was a political strategy that needn't have been stretched this far. Congress was entitled to its day in Parliament to highlight their versions of "scams". No one can grudge them that. But the point of spotlighting their concerns about the alleged scams could have been made more effectively in Parliament during a debate in the first few days. Their helping pass the GST bill post a debate would have been the right thing to do and would have clearly made them and their points of view more credible.

Instead their opposition in Parliament now is perceived as ranging from revenge or spiteful politics rather than any meaningful concern about corruption or scams. Made worse by the fact that when presented with an opportunity to question Sushma Swaraj, the Congress could little else than fling allegations and insults.

That the people of India were disgusted and turned off by the performance of Parliament and MPs in this session is irrefutable. That political parties and Parliament must redeem themselves at the earliest is an imperative - that the altar of petty politics shouldn't be sacrificed our economy and future. Maybe an early special session of Parliament to pass the GST at the earliest is the answer.