Methods of old

Sangh Parivar affiliates seem to have effectively replicated a strategy honed by the Left parties and the ruling Congress during the early years of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-I regime at the Centre. The Left parties, who were then supporting the Congress-led UPA from outside, would criticise the government's economic policies vehemently, both inside and outside Parliament, leaving little space for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to get a word in and leaving many wondering whether that party had abdicated its responsibilities as the main Opposition party. Sangh Parivar affiliates - the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch and others - have opposed and been openly critical of some of the Narendra Modi government's economic policies such as labour reforms and amendments to the land Bill. This, at times, has helped in drowning out voices from the Opposition while also keeping their support base happy. On Monday, these affiliates opposed the land Bill at a meeting of a joint committee of Parliament, which is looking into the land Bill. These outfits had met BJP leaders on the issue on Saturday.