Miscellaneous - This Day That Age   

dated February 26, 1957: Role of Opposition party

The basis on which an Opposition party should be created was explained by Mr. C. Rajagopalachari while delivering the C. Vijayaraghavachariar Memorial Lecture at the Memorial Hall in Salem on February 24. Making it clear that he did not speak of the coming election, Rajaji said all his advice to voters was that they should select candidates on the basis of their character and not support those who cherished caste hatred. They should vote without fear; they should consult their conscience. He said he had not left the Congress and would not leave it. It was not possible for him to create an Opposition party. He was visualising what could happen five years hence. A seed was not planted in a garden to grow and provide food for the next night. Party politics was like a ball game - the teams had no hatred towards one another and did not speak of a match after the play was over; but no quarter was given or asked for during a match. It might not be possible in politics to be entirely without bitterness as in a ball game. But a political party had many innings. It might win the next election which would turn the victor into the vanquished. If the Congress failed at the polls, the Opposition party might come to power. The Opposition must be able to tell the ruling party at all times, "I will take over the Government from you and run it. I have the confidence of the public."

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