Return
to Story Page
To print: Select File and then Print from your
browser's menu
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's eagerness to complete the task of ministry formation and get on with the job is clear from the manner in which he constituted the ministry. Its jumbo size shows he does not have any inclination to expand it in the near future. Leaders in his place have in the past kept the ministry small to kindle hopes in the ministerial aspirants. To be fair to Vajpayee, last time also he did not leave much scope for expansion. This time he had greater compulsions. He wanted to retain most of the Cabinet ministers belonging to his party for reasons of continuity even as there was greater pressure from the allies. Though there is no indication that he succumbed to such pressures, he could certainly not have ignored the claims of the large number of constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). His willingness to accommodate the diversity that the NDA represents is reflected in the induction of the National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in the ministry despite the advanceprotests from the Jammu unit of the BJP. Yet, for inexplicable reasons, some parties like the Shiromani Akali Dal have not found a place in the ministry. Of course, it is out of their own volition that the Telugu Desam Party and the Indian National Lok Dal of O.P. Chautala have not joined the government. Vajpayee would have been only gladder to accommodate them.
It is the strength of the parties concerned that has decided the size of their representation in the ministry. A notable exception to this rule is the Janata Dal (U) which has got away with a large share of ministership. Four cabinet posts and two minister of state posts for a party which has just 20 seats may appear outrageously disproportionate. But then the Prime Minister cannot be oblivious of the political requirement of bestowing such favours on the JD(U), more so when the NDA prepares itself for the Bihar Assembly elections due early next year. A notable feature of the ministry is that it truly represents the colour and diversity of thecountry. For instance, by inducting senior BJP leader O. Rajagopal, the Prime Minister has found a solution to the non-representation of Kerala as he belongs to that state although he is a Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh.
The balancing act that Vajpayee performed with considerable dexterity cannot be considered complete till the portfolios are announced. Over the years, thanks to economic and other reforms, many ministries have lost their importance while some others have gained new glamour. Small wonder that today most people want to know who gets Finance, rather than who gets Home.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
------------------------------------------------------------
This story was printed from Net Express located at http://www.expressindia.com. Net Express provides a portal to India, with news from The Indian Express and The Financial Express along with sites on travel and tourism, the entertainment industry, the power sector, the environment and much more.
------------------------------------------------------------