Then Nehru, Rao and Vajpayee-Who Now ?

It is sad that the image of cleanliness on which BJP rode to its majority is under threat.. It was obvious from to start that BJP would have a problem of a shortage of administrative experience. This was compounded by the political compulsion to  “improvise”  portfolios and ministers to meet the needs of adequate representation  In the present situation I am taking the charitable view that some of  the younger lot in positions of power did not understand the constitutional importance of accuracy in their affidavits while filing their nominations. Others acted in excess of their power and may not have been  advised correctly by the officials. As for the seniors who are under fire the jury is still out and I shall keep my views to myself.

It is coincidental that a week ago I was worrying about the inexperienced ministers who are drawing criticism for their style of working and their tendency to tinker with well established systems without enough thought. The HRD minister is already facing flak and many others, who are not, are spared because they have done nothing noteworthy..

In the interests of protecting the administrative stability and the image of the ruling parties it is necessary that the new ministers be provided with support from eminent and retired professionals. They could be Special Advisers with MOS status which gives them recognition and also avoids the mandatory need for their election. The minister and the adviser would  have to be told what their roles are and that any disagreement would  be brought to the notice of a senior minister with mentor status (if you can find one) or the PM. It must also be made clear that they will be judged by the number of mediations that become necessary.

On the more crucial political tangle that threatens to  obstruct the working of the Parliament it is essential that the two major parties, one in government  and the other in the opposition should, for once, shed ego considerations  which  are usually personal.  The leaders should agree on issues that should be kept out of their inter-party conflicts and treated with respect and urgency as matters of national consequence. Some of these issues like the Land Acquisition Bill and the GST Bill have already been accepted by both parties but have failed to be adopted due to unwarranted trials of strength. These tussles can only be obstructive and never constructive. An  accommodating  attitude could lead to greater areas of agreement on national issues as they emerge.

There is no vested interest in these recommendations other than that the government should succeed and the nation should benefit.The nation waits to see acts of great statesmanship from  individuals who have the power and the ability. It is usually a crisis that brings a statesman out into the open like Nehru post- Independence, Narasimha Rao in 1991 and Vajpayee later in that millennium, If this is true there is no better time than now for a new one to emerge.