Flouting Odd-Even Rules: Why Can’t MPs Set a Healthy Precedent?

MPs flouting odd-even rule may be inspired by politics but doesn’t set a healthy precedent, writes Pradyut V Hande

BJP MP Ram Prasad Sharma arrives at Parliament riding a horse with a placard reading “pollution free vehicle” to protest against the Delhi government’s odd-even traffic restrictions on April 27, 2016. (Photo: IANS/ Altered by The Quint)

Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, may have rolled out his government’s ambitious Odd-Even plan earlier this year to curb rising levels of air pollution in the city but little could he have envisaged that his very brainchild would accomplish something unheard of; in the political scheme of things.

When Parliament reconvened earlier on Monday, MPs from across the party cadres (barring the AAP, of course) were mostly scathing in their feedback for the enforced rule; managing to secure a rare “consensus of criticism”!

The incumbent Delhi Government had provided six air-conditioned buses to facilitate the transport of the MPs between 9 AM – 11 AM and 5.30 PM-8 PM. However, that didn’t stop a fair many from blatantly flouting the rule of the land but also made statements that ranged from abject adult frustration to befuddling adolescent grumbling to comical infantile drivel!

While many claimed that the car-rationing system prevented them from discharging their duties as upholders of the Constitution, some also believed that it amounted to a grave insult to the quintessential Parliamentarian. Really? All this merely sounds like a well-rehearsed and utterly predictable attempt at placing self over collective interest.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs Bhagwant Mann and Sadhu Singh sitting in an MP Special DTC bus at Parliament in New Delhi, April 25, 2016. (Photo: PTI)

Why Can’t MPs Set a Healthy Precedent?

As politicians and lawmakers of the country, the least that our esteemed leaders can do is to set a positive precedent, especially when combating to contain a malaise as significant and encompassing as environmental pollution. So the likes of Pappu Yadav may call Kejriwal a “psychopath” or BJP MP Ram Prasad Sharma may arrive on a…hold your breath…Horse; in protest, but all that does is make for eye-catching news bites.

This episode has only sought to reinforce the age-old affliction that our politicians and legislators are crippled with – focusing on the trivial matters to an extent that completely erodes the significance attached to more pressing ones.

Let’s accept it. The Odd-Even Rule has had its fair share of detractors since its inception, and rightly so. Like any other legislation; it comes with its basket of pros, cons, loopholes and contradictions. But at least it is a proactive measure towards curbing environmental pollution.

Its success or failure shall merit commentary on a later date. But undeniable is the fact that measures such as these are the need of the hour, on multiple levels.

But alas! These are ugly truths and hard-hitting ground realities that most of our parliamentarians choose to remain oblivious of.

Sacrificing the comfort and convenience of that plush air-conditioned foreign made luxury Sedan on an occasional basis is perhaps too much to ask for…or is it?

BJP MP Vijay Goel stands near a car with anti odd-even traffic scheme stickers at Parliament in New Delhi, on April 27, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

Political Gains

The likes of British Prime Minister, David Cameron or our very own Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu have no qualms taking the Metro or the local train. Call it a well-crafted “I’m-a-commoner-too” PR stunt or what have you…but it is acts like those that can inspire the larger public to take up the call for action.

It is all well and proper to bring out torrents of criticism and seek exceptional treatment, but developing constructive solutions subsequently is a completely different ball game altogether.

The only silver lining in this “plume of pollution”?, you might ask. The fact that our legislators are at least attempting to make it to the Parliamentary sessions and many have cared enough to use the Odd-Even Rule is a trusted excuse for impeding their progress! Whatever may be the case, this episode does not look like it will even out against all odds, any time soon.

(The writer is Co-founder & Senior Editor, ‘The Your Voice Project’. He can be reached at @Hande_Pradyut)

This is a personal blog and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.

Also read:

Dear Mr Kejriwal, Why Did You Think Odd-Even Would Work?

Reducing Exposure to Pollutants Can Maximise Health Benefits