THE 2011 budget estimates presented to the National Assembly by the erudite Dr Ashni Kumar Singh will long be remembered as the budget that has solidified the nation’s economic gains under the PPP/C government, perfectly positioning the social and developmental plans of the republic for the great take off. Each sector minister defended his/her allocation with a mastery of detail that certainly befuddled an opposition that mostly rambled in their vain attempts to find credibly good reasons for responses.

At best, the opposition 2010 debate performance can be described as a display of Boys Scouts trying to duel with their older, more seasoned and honed counterparts. Clearly the mastery of the late Winston Sripal Murray was missing from the PNCR benches. The budget was so well crafted, dealing with the pivotal requirements for the nation and its people, that even the opposition would not have presented a better development programme. It was truly a budget with the people in mind. It caught, especially, the PNC/R napping. There was no loop hole for criticism. Hence it was the usual opposition case of crticising for criticizing sake. Such did not add to parliamentary intellect.

But there was a positive from the opposition bench, a clear recognition and acknowledgement of the developmental successes of the PPP/C administration, from the AFC’s Raphael Trotman. He further said that it would not be decent of him to say otherwise. He further called for a bi-partisan approach to problems in the nation, and an end to adversarial politics, among other remarks.

These remarks would best be heeded by the PNCR, since they are the other senior political party in this nation, and ought to realise that they have an important responsibility towards their constituents, as well as to the nation to lead intelligently. Though Trotman has echoed against adversarial politics, the reality is that it will always be a practical part of House debates and politics in general with each side seeking to score points. But what is of essence is the ability to rise above pettiness, grudge and subjectivity. The opposition must rise above criticisms for criticisms sake. It is unintelligent politics, the type that signals a political movement bereft of ideas.

The country has to progress. It is doing so. There will be mistakes, for such is human. But credit must be given where it is due. And the PPP/C government does deserve reservoirs of commendations for the splendid work they have been doing.