The Indian Constitution, a monumental document of governance, stands as a beacon of democracy. Adopted with 395 articles spread across 22 parts and 8 schedules, it remains the longest constitution for any sovereign nation. At approximately 145,000 words, it is a detailed blueprint of rights and responsibilities. Yet, for opposition parties at the Centre, this venerated text has morphed into a theatrical prop, wielded with a blend of melodrama and expedience.
Flimsy theatrics with the Constitution
Every move by the BJP government is met with the now-familiar cry of ‘Samvidhan khatre mein hai’ (the Constitution is in danger). Whether the debate revolves around Article 370, farm bills, or any other contentious issue, the opposition brandishes the Constitution like a magic wand. But these selective invocations are less about safeguarding democracy and more about opportunism – aimed at cornering the ruling government rather than protecting constitutional principles.
It is almost as though they are working off an abridged version of the Constitution, one so skeletal it might rival Monaco’s 3,814-word charter, the shortest in the world. Their actions reduce the Constitution to a mockery, turning its solemnity into a farcical slogan. Instead of a powerful narrative defending democratic ethos, they present hollow theatrics that insult the very democracy they claim to champion.
Lokesh’s red book
If the opposition’s antics at the Centre are a spectacle, Nara Lokesh’s ‘Red Book’ in Andhra Pradesh adds a dose of intrigue to this drama. Lokesh’s father, N Chandrababu Naidu, suffered a humiliating phase in his career – arrested, jailed, and insulted in the Assembly with vulgar remarks about his wife, Bhuvaneswari Devi. Naidu’s tearful breakdown and subsequent vow to return as chief minister became the Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) rallying cry.
The narrative, bolstered by an alliance with the BJP and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena, brought the TDP back to power. Lokesh, riding on this wave of victory, promised justice and accountability. His Red Book, supposedly filled with names of wrongdoers – corrupt YSRCP leaders, police officers, and others -became a symbol of his resolve to avenge past wrongs.
Yet, months into the new government, Lokesh’s much-touted Red Book remains conspicuously untouched. As Minister for IT, Human Resources, and TDP General Secretary, his silence is deafening. What was pitched as a ledger of justice risks becoming an emblem of empty rhetoric. The Red Book seems destined to share shelf space with Rahul Gandhi’s now-forgotten ‘NYAY’ manifesto – long on promises, short on delivery.
A tale of two tragedies
At the Centre, the opposition waves the Constitution like a flag of convenience, invoking it at the slightest political whim. In Andhra Pradesh, Lokesh’s Red Book gathers dust, its purpose unfulfilled. Both instances highlight the disappointing trend in contemporary Indian politics, where optics consistently overshadow substance.
Time to tick or trash
The electorate in Andhra Pradesh is watching, and their patience is not infinite. If Lokesh’s promises remain mere words, the Red Book will transform from a symbol of justice into a stark reminder of broken commitments. It is time for Lokesh to open his Red Book, tick off the names, and act. Andhra Pradesh deserves more than an unopened book of revenge, just as the Indian Constitution deserves more than hollow cries. Leadership is measured not by fiery rhetoric but by tangible action. The question is: will Lokesh rise to the challenge, or will his Red Book become a relic of forgotten promises?