Berth pangs

It is the period after revolution that is more dangerous than the revolution itself. West Bengals change of government after 34 years was no gory revolution,but revolutionary nevertheless in its historic nature. The new government sought to paint on the broadest canvas possible,perhaps more so given Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees predisposition to the political baroque. As feared by some,her governance has run into roughening weather,albeit its first instance of trouble. Congress appointees in various departments are quitting,as are some of the artists and academics on committees in charge of programmes. The biggest name therein is Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjees son,Abhijit Mukherjee,who has resigned as head of the West Bengal Infrastructural Development Finance Corporation.

There is,reportedly,unhappiness in the Congress about Banerjees allegedly unilateral manner of appointing Congress MLAs and members to government posts without consulting the party. Resignations such as Mukherjees could be the partys message to the CM to not do so at her own discretion. Knowing Banerjees modus operandi at the helm of her party for so long,the allegations dont surprise. At the same time,they also point to the wranglings within the state Congress,whereof to choose one is to automatically displease another. The state Congress had been divided,on record,about the alliance with Trinamool prior to the assembly polls. It remains divided.

In any case,Banerjee has a big job at hand. In order to manage her coalition and also govern,she has to first of all clearly articulate an unambiguous governance agenda. The high-sounding rhetoric and promises of sweeping change before the polls need to be replaced now by a sober,concrete,prioritised blueprint for work. Theres no problem with a broad canvas; but there is with confusion,indiscipline,lack of communication and coordination. Banerjee has introduced some good ideas and achieved at least one early and significant political breakthrough in Darjeeling. What she needs to do is discuss her plans and bind her party and its partner to her governance agenda. From the vagueness and magnitude of her grand designs,that constructive agenda has to emerge first.