Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is to meet a small group of editors on Wednesday morning to discuss issues ranging from corruption charges against the government to continuing inflation and unemployment.
The informal interaction comes days after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, which took stock of the current political situation. Some CWC members were reportedly of the view that Dr. Singh should engage the media more often and dispel the impression being created by the Opposition and sections of the civil society that the government has something to hide.
According to senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Dr. Singh intends to make it a regular exercise and more such interactions could be expected in the coming days.
His endeavour to reach out to the media comes at a juncture when the government is faced with charges of scams and accusations of non-performance and malfeasance in the administration. Senior UPA leaders believe the Prime Minister's reticence to speak out in defence of the government has not helped the situation.
In a recent interview to a television channel, Home Minister P. Chidambaram articulated sentiments of a section of the UPA and the government. “ ... But yes, I acknowledge that lots of people would like the Prime Minister to step up to the plate, so as to say, and speak more often. But that is the style of the person,” Mr. Chidambaram had said.
Keywords: Manmohan-Editors interaction
Small group means - editors of News papers or TV channels ? Last time it was without salt and pepper! His Press Secretary managed. This time it is going to be without water and curde oil! Recent news item "Mr Mukesh Ambani met PM". So we can expect a favourable 'bail out' for those people. Mr PM will not fail to do his job to favour corporates - under UPA culture. Mr Deora is an example ! Mr Jaipal too. Can we hope of some good 'tough stand by PM' for nations interest?
Janlokpal item for further trial and PM may cover this vividly.
This is a welcome move especially if it is likely to be a weekly exercise. A simple suggestion at this juncture. To span out 5-7 interviews before Parliament begins, rope in Key ministries turn by turn. Say 3rd July with FM, 8th July with Home, 14th July with Defence etc. so that team answers and Govt. initiatives in respective ministries are articulated. The interaction has to be purposeful and positive so that it becomes much more than TV sound bytes on sub-judice issues like CWG, 2G scam or a Lokpal Bill. Discussions on Infra, Railways, It will show the govt. still has the intent to take initiative and work. PMO should use the event so that missing 100 day reports and reviews of ministries falls in place. Prepare schedule and review the ministry. Then, face the editors questions on that ministry. Let there be a debate on so many issues and initiatives which Govt. has undertaken beyond Lokpal, Sibal, Hazare and Ramdev. Even ministries may wake up.
Communicating with the people he is supposed to be leading is not a matter of personal style. It's fundamental requirement of leadership. Needing to be prompted to meet that basic requirement is unfortunate.
What does an 'informal interaction' with a group of editors mean? Will these interactions be broadcast live or electronically recorded and allowed to be broadcast later or transcripts printed in newspapers. People are interested to know what the Prime Minister's views are on various matters of national interest. Unless the people have a chance to hear or read the questions of various editors and PM's reactions to these, these interactions will be of no interest to them.
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