Renowned for his distinguished career, the venerable socialist leader, Shivanand Tiwari, hailing from Bihar’s Bhojpur and having represented the Janata Dal (United) in the Rajya Sabha from 2008 to 2014, fondly reminisces about his emotional connection to the erstwhile Parliament House. Presently, Tiwari serves as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) national vice-president, having been a prominent spokesperson for both the RJD and JD(U).
In the poignant recollections shared by Tiwari, he paints a vivid picture of the past, when the Central Hall of Parliament was a hub of activity, frequently hosting Cabinet ministers. Those halcyon days, however, stand in stark contrast to the tumultuous period that marked the twilight of his tenure. This tumult was triggered by the shocking revelation of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report on the 2G spectrum allocation, which raised eyebrows with its staggering figure of Rs 1.8 lakh crore. In a colorful account, Tiwari describes how he, as a representative of the JD(U), entered the Rajya Sabha one fateful morning, newspaper in hand, flanked by prominent figures like Sitaram Yechury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bahujan Samaj Party’s Mayawati. With the newspaper in tow, he initiated a clamor.
Amidst the growing cacophony of leaders rallying around him, Tiwari was taken aback when he noticed the then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, approaching him. Their exchange was polite but consequential. The Prime Minister informed Tiwari of an impending committee discussion regarding the matter, urging restraint. Tiwari and his colleagues offered a simple proposition: express the same sentiment on the House floor, and they would fall silent. However, as the Opposition relentlessly pressed for answers from the Congress-led UPA government during the Upper House proceedings, the Prime Minister’s expected statement never materialized.
Tiwari recalls this period with a sense of sorrow, vividly remembering the Prime Minister’s apparent helplessness as the Opposition relentlessly hounded the government. This era coincided with the emergence of revelations regarding irregularities in the Commonwealth Games, further tarnishing the government’s image. Ultimately, these tumultuous times paved the way for the ascent of Narendra Modi on the political stage, as observed by the seasoned RJD leader.
Tiwari’s journey in politics took a different trajectory when he parted ways with the JD(U) after being denied renomination for the Rajya Sabha following the end of his term. Although Nitish Kumar offered him the party’s ticket for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Tiwari declined and subsequently found a new political home in the RJD.
In comparing his experiences, Tiwari notes a shift in the decorum and gravity of parliamentary proceedings during his tenure. The debates were characterized by a certain standard, offering ample time for meaningful discourse, all while the parliamentary chair maintained its dignity.
Tiwari’s reflections on this chapter of India’s political history evoke nostalgia for a bygone era when the Parliament’s sanctity and statesmanship held sway over the proceedings.
