THE MODI-AZAD EQUATION

Much is being speculated about the equation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad after the former’s emotional farewell address to the latter. In particular political leaders are wondering what the PM meant when he said that his doors would always be open for Azad’s wisdom and experience. This has led to speculation as to whether the PM may be considering Azad for some non partisan, constitutional post—such as the next Vice President perhaps? (Venkaiah Naidu’s term as the current vice president ends in 2022). The PM also added that as an Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad did not just worry about his party but also took into account the larger non partisan concerns of the House and the country. If that is indeed the plan then the Congress would have a tough time opposing Azad’s candidature, but would have to support it, just as it did with Pranab Mukherjee. Interestingly, a few days before he retired Azad was criticised by his party leadership for allowing debate in the Upper House and not stalling the House as the Congress was doing in the Lok Sabha. His defence of course was that the Opposition has more impact countering the government with debate than it does by a simple walkout, but clearly that did not fit in with the party leadership’s strategy. And now the Congress has a “loyalist” in place with Mallikarjun Kharge, who will ensure that the Rajya Sabha strategy works in tandem with the Lok Sabha floor plans.