Pioneer-Dilli Billi-Jan.30th.2011-"What a damp squib!"

"What a damp squib!"

Cabinet reshuffle left most wondering why it was undertaken if the same Ministers were to be retainedThe much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle turned out to be a damp squib for Delhi’s political pundits. What Manmohan Singh did with his team was not what they had expected. Critics feel he could have done better and sent out a strong signal. Scams and scandals had the media going hammer and tongs on the Government, putting it on the backfoot.If this was just supposed to be a reshuffle of Ministers, then why didn’t the Government go the whole hog? Everyone expected to see articulate and clean youngsters with potential. For this reason, people are amused with this musical chair exercise of the PM. As is the norm in Delhi, everyone has their own stories to share. Why so and so was shifted, etc. Each story will circulate to different groups keeping in mind who the audience is. But one thing is sure, no one had an inkling of what was in store. Even the Ministers did not suspect their portfolios to be shifted. Some ministers were having their official houses renovated according to vaastu and feng shui.However, the reshuffle signals that the alliance partners of the Government have been put in their place. Sources say that the DMK was pressing on the inclusion of TR Baalu in the Cabinet. But luckily, the PM did not heed their demands. Mamata Banerjee will, of course want the lion’s share during the seat-sharing time in Bengal elections. She is preparing grounds for tomorrow in the State. The PM’s team is looking to focus on the States where elections are round the corner. But, somehow people picked from these States are not the ones who can really deliver. Why didn’t the PM throw out non-performing, corrupt Ministers and take in fresh new faces, young or old, who are capable and dedicated? Delhi’s political pundits have been left wondering.Coming to the States where elections are due in the next two years, the Congress aam janta is praying that the infighting in these States stops and the people who can deliver as heads of their States are elected. The Congress should not send people at the last minute when no options are left. State leaders are made to wait, after a patient bearing with this, they are sent to their bastions. It seems as if they are made to go through an acid test and their opponents are given every opportunity to bring them down. That encourages infighting and also demoralises team members.With the Opposition uniting fast and being very vocal about the rising corruption and emergence of new scams every day, the Government should be very cautious if they want to come back in the next term. Hopefully the reshuffle after the budget will not be a damp squib. Everyone’s eyes will be on the AICC reshuffle and the BJP’s role in the budget session. But one must say that a lot of thought must have gone in the reshuffle of portfolios, keeping in mind the nexus in bureaucracy and politicos. But it does give a strong message to many industrialist houses.