Now, govern

Will the Congress please expend the same energy in picking ministers as it did for a president

Never mind the UPA8217;s energy and feverish politicking over electing the next president 8212; doubtless Abdul Kalam8217;s no to a contest has energised the ruling combine even more 8212; the government looked listless before presidency occupied the centre stage and it will look listless once this excitement is over. The only way to avoid the latter outcome is to admit that even under political constraints and poll paranoia there are things this government can do. And that some of these things can only be done if the council of ministers gets a talent boost. Which is to say the cabinet reshuffle that was supposed to be contingent on a particular Congress nominee getting into Rashtrapati Bhavan must not be indefinitely postponed simply because the Congress didn8217;t get its way. Of course, HRD and home come to mind first. But unlucky presidential hopefuls are unlikely to be inflicted with a double dose of grief. There are other equally important if less glamorous areas that need correctives, however. Steel, coal, mines and power are four areas of economic activity and regulation that have seen, despite their obvious importance, little by way of

reformist policy.

There is arguably no one better in Indian politics who understands this urgency than Manmohan Singh, who should both vigorously want a reshuffle and let merit play a larger role than it so far has in

selecting replacements. Yes, there will be compulsions in the form of allies8217; preferences and the Congress8217;s own internal political calculations. But everyone in the ruling alliance must also understand that the government can8217;t just potter about for two years. The usual anti-incumbency rule can apply with more vigour in that case. Electoral politics can be very unforgiving to governments that start specialising in masterly inactivity. There is anational vote component in general elections, even though state level politics is increasingly more important, and the Congress surely doesn8217;t think that the governance equivalent of marking time in office will get it that vote.

Politics apart, it is truly sad that when 9 per cent growth combines with 4 per cent inflation, the ruling alliance isn8217;t buzzing with energy and ideas. Of course, India has many problems, many poor citizens. But if a government is going to be lethargic when the macroeconomy looks so good, it is

legitimate to wonder what the Congress8217;s ideal conditions for vigorous governance are.