question_answer

"Opposition is important for democracy". Comment.

Answer:

An effective, responsible and responsive opposition is the hallmark of a democracy and the lifeblood of a competitive party system. On the whole, opposition plays a two-way role: Positive role, Negative role. Positive Role:

It acts like a restraining force, as it represents legitimate dissent. The opposition criticises and exposes the mistakes, shortcoming, failures, lapses, etc. of the ruling party and thus acts like a necessary corrective to it.

The opposition helps to ventilate the grievances of the people and helps the government to know their views. In this way they help in the formulation of policy.

The opposition has often checked the financial malpractices on part of the government and  exposed  the government's various scams like the Bofors deal, Stocks-share scam, etc.

The opposition also acts like an "Alternative government or as the government in waiting" when the government collapse before its five years tenure.

Negative Role:

Opposition party opposes all governmental measures and proposes nothing concrete. It only criticizes without giving constructive suggestions.

Its main aim is to dislodge and discredit the government.

Through dharnas and gheraos, it curtails the progress of the country.

Opposition does not always obstruct and harass the government. It agrees with the government on certain fundamentals like electoral reforms, improved condition of workers and peasants, making panchayat and local bodies autonomous, fighting corruption, judicial reforms, etc.