Tactical change: the PM is more parliamentarian than ever before

QUICK PILL

The change

• PM Modi sat and listened to other leaders\' speeches in Parliament, unlike the previous sessions

• When he spoke, his tone was lower, his voice softer, and he used words like \'collaboration\'

The attempt

• Before and after the session, Modi reached out to Opposition leaders

• He seems to be trying to get the opposition on board in an attempt to pass crucial legislation like GST

More in the story

• What role have the Delhi and Bihar defeats played in the PM\'s tactical change?

• Why opposition parties are still on guard

The winter of 2015 is indeed very different from its predecessor. Things were a lot more 'Modi'fied last year, what with the confidence of the mandate and the 'honeymoon period' of the new government. The Opposition was down in the dumps, making it less effective in the Parliament.

But how things change in one year. After the defeats in Delhi and Bihar, and the government's inability to pass the bills of its choice in the last two sessions, seem to have taught a lesson to the man in the hot seat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The PM now seems to have decided to be more parliamentarian. His tone is lower, his voice softer. The arrogant, often rude, body language has been superseded by words like 'inclusiveness' and 'collaboration'. Indeed, Modi has changed his tactics after what seems like an 18-month-long hangover.

Lower tone, softer voice - Modi has changed tactics after what seems like an 18-month hangover

Getting friendly with the opposition

Before the two-day long special session to discuss commitment to the Constitution, part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of its architect, Dr BR Ambedkar, the PM reflected warmth and a welcoming attitude towards other parties.

A day before the special session, on Wednesday, 25 November, he listened to the opposition sincerely, in an effort to find a passage for his bills, especially in the Rajya Sabha, where the NDA is in minority.

Photo: Prime Minister's Office

Modi spoke to Congress leaders like Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Khadge and displayed a positive body language. He then urged the opposition that passing the GST Bill is in the interests of the nation.

Modi has begun reaching out to opposition leaders to break the parliamentary deadlock

Fearing a repeat of the logjam that threw the monsoon session off the rails, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu also appealed to all parties to move on from it.

Welcoming the veterans back

The U-turn by Modi and Co. has surprised many within the BJP as well. The BJP Parliamentary Party executive meeting had surprise attendees this time, in sidelined veterans LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.

Both were invited, since Modi knows this is important to control the discontent within the BJP after the heavy Bihar defeat. He seems to have realised that the veterans' political and parliamentary experience can be better utilised.

On Thursday, Modi interacted with media personnel in Parliament and said: "I had a discussion with the leaders of the opposition. There were constructive talks in a good environment. Everyone agreed that the session should be conducted properly.

"There can't be a better platform for the dialogue than the House. Discussion, debate and dialogue are the soul of Parliament. The arena of the nation is available for other things. I am happy with the positivity of opposition on these points. We will all [keep up with] the expectations of the people."

Naidu said, "The country needs collaborative politics, and not confrontational politics. People are keenly watching law makers. They are in no mood to accept negativism."

Listening to speeches and praising opponents

Then, on both days of the special sitting, Modi attended the speeches made by senior leaders in both Houses. This is very unlike the Modi of 2014.

In the winter session last year, the face of the government was missing for the most part. In fact, he is still among the top names when it comes to absence from Parliament. But in 2014, ministers had to defend the 'missing' and 'wanted' PM, while the opposition insisted on his presence and demanded his answers to questions related to government.

As he sat listening to the speeches over the last two days, his bonhomie and softness came as a surprise to many. Though other NDA MPs raised their voices often while reacting to the speeches, Modi's address on Friday was full of praise for past and present members of the House belonging to other parties.

Modi praised Jawaharlal Nehru for his great contribution to the country. He said that being in majority didn't mean anything could be imposed on the people. He told the House that he is, apparently, the first PM to say it from the Red Fort that every party and every PM since independence has contributed to the making of India.

Photo: PTI

Without mentioning Rahul Gandhi's name, he praised the Congress scion's political moves. He also acknowledged that the same quote of Ambedkar that he was using had also been used by Sonia Gandhi in her speech on Thursday.

Previously, Modi had not given an account of his frequent foreign trips to the House. But in this special session, the PM decided to brief the House about developments. In doing so, Modi finally followed in his predecessors' footsteps.

Inviting Sonia and Manmohan for tea

And then, at the end of the session, on Friday, the PM invited Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh for high tea at his residence, 7 Race Course Road. Both leaders attended and discussed key issues related to the winter session. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Naidu were also present.

After the meeting, Jaitley briefed journalists. "We discussed several things, particularly, the large amount of legislative business that is pending since last session. Mr Naidu will be in touch with leaders of the opposition in both the houses," he said.

"On GST, the Congress leaders stated their position on three issues. We have discussed it with them. They will talk about it with their party. After some time, we will again discuss it with them."

These are not isolated, unconnected moves. All this shows that Modi is changing his tactics, in order to get his way with legislation. But the only problem is that the Opposition won't roll over just because he's being nice to it.

Elections are set to be held in five states over the next six months, and the Opposition will have to decide its parliamentary strategy keeping that in mind.

As a JD(U) leader said, "We understand the PM and the change in his tactics. We are not going to fall into the trap."