Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Why media is so harsh with BJP? that was published in Newsband

Why media is so harsh with BJP?

Devendra Fadnavis-led government won the vote of confidence. His Bharatiya Janata Party had 122 MLAs and was 22 short of a majority.

Nationalist Congress Party abstained from voting. The problem is that if BJP takes the support of Nationalist Congress Party, it will cast a shadow over its promise of providing good governance and a clean and transparent administration.

Shiv Sena is not happy with the way the state government is functioning and Congress is not happy with the way counting of votes were done and is demanding that government obtain fresh trust vote. Shiv Sena did not vote against the Government, since talks are still on about its joining the regime. If the Shiv Sena had voted against the BJP, it would have lost whatever little bargaining power it has with the BJP. So for some times, the Fadnavis government could find it hard focussing on the job at hand,

The reason for using the voice vote was simple: postpone partnering with any of the choices, the devil and the deep sea. Would NCP ever support BJP government unconditionally? Did SS join government unconditionally? Would even the independents support BJP for nothing? So, it was a wise move by BJP. They just have to let the investigating agencies do their work on the corruption cases to remain in power without sharing it with any party or individual. If the Government performs well, the opposition will commit suicide by pulling them down.

I am very sure that if BJP had opted for support from the NCP, there would have been an article challenging the integrity of the former political party. Congress can never be seen as an ally, however, since relations with Shiv Sena are in a consistent deadlock, we should credit the young CM for his brave decision. Opposition parties would do what they must, but that's no reason to be skeptical for the government that now holds the position. Also, even if BJP had opted for outside support from the NCP, where lies the guarantee of a stable and corruption-free governmental set up? With politics, it's fairly easy to speculate. Yes, the BJP does face a stiff challenge as the minority government, but calling the beginning not propitious is a little too much.

The strange thing is that everything associated with BJP is tarnished for some media houses. Why didn’t they question Congress regime for all its omission and commission over the years? What about the J&K MLA saying that no Hindu should be allowed to become a CM there? Is J&K his fiefdom? And pseudo secular Congress is supporting his stand and the media houses are not even questioning it? Why it is BJP which is always at the receiving end?

If you see from the broadest angle, there is no unity in the country. The people as well as their leaders are divided on innumerable counts. This fact is clearly reflected in the recent political happenings in Maharashtra. How can the country progress in real terms in a highly competitive world? Action is required in various levels to bring a sense of unity. How and when can this come about?