Signals emanated even before the Parliament was convened. As soon as the results were out, the BJP made a graceful statement accepting the verdict of the people. Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani personally congratulated both the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh whom he had called as “weak” and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi.

There was an unusually friendly response from the UPA government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh to the opposition when the 15th Lok Sabha began. For instance, as soon as the Congress decided on the name of the Speaker Meira Kumar, it was conveyed to the Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani. Second, while the DMK was asking for the post of the Deputy Speaker for T.R. Baalu, the Congress leaders decided to go by convention, and offered it to the BJP. Even within the NDA, there was tussle for the post; but the BJP got the position unlike the previous time when the Akali Dal was rewarded. The phone call from Pranab Mukherjee to Advani seeking the name of the name of the Deputy Speaker for unanimous election was marked by cordiality. . Even the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker was quite smooth.

The obvious signals emanated from both sides during the speeches on motion of thanks to the President's address. Both the Leaders of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha did not show any confrontationist attitude in their speeches. In fact, the response from the Prime Minister also was in the same vein when he referred to both Advani and Arun Jaitley in his reply. When Arun Jaitley mentioned the need for the government not to be arrogant PM agreed with it in his speech. An important fact was that the PM had completely ignored the left parties and did not even refer to their speeches in his reply while he took the name of the BJP leaders a number of times.

Yet another signal came when the BJP members did not press for their amendments to the motion of thanks in both the houses while the Left conspicuously insisted on putting the amendments to vote.

The government seems to have taken a conscious decision to seek the support of the Opposition which was promised by Advani in his speech. The BJP, smarting under the poll defeat and faced with internal squabbles, has decided to lie low for the time being and be cooperative. After all, this is only the beginning of the 15th Lok Sabha and there could be many other occasions later.

The budget session next month would reveal whether this is a short-term truce or the cooperation will continue. The mood in the house is pleasant with new members finding their place and old members greeting each other. The point is that even the left parties are subdued in the wake of the humiliation of poll defeat. Otherwise, a belligerent left and the right could combine and give a tough time to the treasury benches. The Prime Minister had outlined the broad contours of his foreign and economic polices in his speeches in both the houses which were received in a docile manner.

Many Parliament watchers do not believe that this bonhomie would continue for ever as the opposition has to do its watchdog job. However, if the government does not become too arrogant and consults the opposition on major moves, then there is every possibility of the houses transacting business in a smooth manner. After all, the Congress and the BJP together command a majority in both the houses. (IPA Service)