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Journalism of Courage
Just how 8216;major8217; is a major reshuffle? Ever since Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee formally announced a large-scale makeover of his council of ministers at Lucknow, this question has agitated the political and the influential in the Capital. The suspense will be over this evening. But a few observations may be in order. First, the matter of a deputy prime minister. There are questions here. Though there have been five deputy prime ministers before, the post is not a constitutional one. It has evolved through convention, tailored to fit the prime minister8217;s political requirements and/or compulsions. In the present instance, therefore, the nation would like to know the reason why. Is a deputy to be sworn in so that Prime Minister Vajpayee can shed some of his own responsibilities? Is it simply to formalise an existing arrangement? To impart stability, to stem the bouts of speculation regarding the line of succession? Will it lead to a streamlining of the functioning of the government? Or will it weaken the prime minister8217;s office by formalising a rival centre of power?
Changes in several key ministries are said to be on the cards 8212; the finance ministry tops the list with many others to follow. Allied parties that have not been represented in the ministry so far are slated to find berths. Today8217;s reshuffle/expansion is also expected to see a major movement of senior ministers to the party organisation. After prolonged persuasion and thinly veiled pressure, party president Jana Krishnamurthy resigned on Friday, to pave the way for a change of guard. By all accounts, the BJP8217;s new face is to be a younger one 8212; it8217;s going to be an image revamp. There are questions here too. The 8216;new look8217; government and party that we the people are to be given today 8212; to what purpose? The nation hopes there is a longer, larger vision behind it all. That it is not, as the prevalent rhetoric would seem to indicate, only a knee jerk response to the party8217;s drubbing in the previous round of assembly elections and a preparation for the round to follow. A tightening of the bootstraps is entirely welcome if it results in a more efficient, more responsive government for the people. Not if it is just a cosmetic exercise to dress the party and government up, to be the belle of the next polls.
