It is a matter of argument if the neutrality of a presiding officer of a legislature is limited only to his/her conduct of proceedings in the House, or extends to refraining from highly political comments. Mrs Sumitra Mahajan has never cut an impartial figure as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, but even by those unelevated standards it is not acceptable the she should echo the line taken by her party spokespersons (the BJP’s) on the formal entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into the increasingly unpalatable political slugfest. For not only is Priyanka still far away from Parliament, Mrs Mahajan has a critical Budget Session on her work-sheet and by making disparaging comments about Rahul Gandhi ~ the de facto leader of the principal opposition party ~ she has squandered the few chances that existed of the closing sittings of the present Lok Sabha passing off with only limited acrimony. Her contention that the induction of Priyanka was a negative indicator of Rahul’s capabilities is sure to make a mockery of the pre-session meetings in which cooperation is sought.

Willy-nilly she has thrust the “Chair” into the front row of the firing line. Though, like all politicians, she subsequently tried to backtrack and had some pleasant words for Priyanka, her reinforcing the “Pappu” line the BJP takes on Rahul will surely fuel the fires bound to rage as the 16th Lok Sabha wails its swansong. Mrs Mahajan cannot be accused of consistently provoking acrimony ~ as she has just done ~ but neither can she be commended for trying to apply a healing touch. Many of her decisions ~ such as what constitutes a “money Bill” ~ have clearly been aimed at enabling the Modi government to avoid “facing” the Rajya Sabha where it is short of numbers. Comparisons are ever odious, but Mrs Mahajan’s record falls short of Meira Kumar’s ~ the only other woman to steward the Lok Sabha.

Votaries of Mrs Mahajan could argue that her loaded comment against Rahul was intented to cement her position in the BJP’s good books and press her case for another ticket to the Lok Sabha a few months hence. That would only add to the criticism that the ruling combine demands total loyalty and has little place for anyone claiming to have acquired political standing in their own right. That brand of authoritarianism also points to a degree of insecurity among the BJP leaders who are consistently accusing the Congress of never looking beyond a chosen few. Another view, expressed in Congress circles, is that the deployment of Priyanka in the battle arena has truly rattled the BJP ~ so the pristine nature of the office of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is worth sacrificing in its drive to “win” at all costs. That would be quite in keeping with other lowly realities.