The Union Cabinet reshuffle was on Sunday dubbed as “lacklustre” and a “face saving” exercise by the opposition with the BJP claiming it will not do any good to the country or improve the Congress’ image.
The UPA’s former ally Trinamool Congress, which pulled out of Manmohan Singh government last month, had a different take, saying the three Congress leaders chosen as ministers of state from West Bengal were there only to ‘needle’ the party.
It also said West Bengal was deprived of adequate ministerial representation.
Dismissing the reshuffle as a “face saving” exercise, BJP’s ally Akali Dal said it is the “same old wine in new bottle”.
“This reshuffle was lacklustre. It will not do any good to the country or even to the Congress party. It was expected that young blood will be given more representation in the Cabinet but this has not been done,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told PTI in New Delhi.
Mr. Hussain, who became a Cabinet minister at the age of 32 in the erstwhile NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said even the few young leaders who took oath of office have not been given a Cabinet berth.
“Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has only given the young leaders Minister of State status. The average age of the Cabinet has not come down much though it was being talked about,” he said.
Punjab Chief Minister and Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal said the reshuffle is not going to help Congress and in no way improve the image of the UPA government.
“This exercise would prove futile. What the country needed at this crucial juncture was some revolutionary changes in policies in the interests of the common man and not political gimmicks or jugglery of sorts to befool the aam adami (common man),” Mr. Badal told reporters in Ludhiana.
In Kolkata, TMC leader Saugata Roy said “West Bengal has been thoroughly deprived in the cabinet reshuffle. West Bengal had two most important leaders (Pranab Mukherjee and Mamata Banerjee) in the Union Cabinet in 2009. Now it has none”, Mr. Roy told PTI.
The three Congress leaders from the state, all bitter critics of Mamata Banerjee, were picked up as ministers only to ‘needle’ TMC, Mr. Roy told PTI. Mr. Roy ruled out its impact on TMC’s political growth.
Keywords: Union Cabinet reshuffle, Cabinet reshuffle, Opposition parties, Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Trinamool Congress
In Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet V.K.Krishna Menon was Minister without portfolio for some time, if I remember correct. Since bulk of the work in the area of corporate affairs is handled by official regulators requiring not much ministerial dynamism, can Mr.Pilot be deemed to be VKK Menon's modern avatar !?
Mr.Kejriwal's star seems to be such that whenever he targets a person in the government,that person becomes eligible for a promotion as in the case of Mr.Salman Kurshid! As against this,whenever he targets a person in the Opposition,that person becomes fit for a probe being instituted against him like Mr.Gadkari! Those who are not yet targeted by Mr.Kejriwal would be sitting with fingers crossed musing over the Tamil saying : 'To one's left or right whichever side the fox goes,it does not matter as long as it does not pounce upon one direct'!
Some of the dropped ministers were saying they were proud of working for the congress organisation. If they really liked working for the organisation, they should not have accepted ministrial post,just as Rahul Gandhi did. When a minister said he resigned because he wanted to make way for younger blood, Was not telling the whole truth. There was charge sheet filed by Lok Ayukta implicating three cheif ministers.Perhaps, Mr.Krishna was most unfortunately one of them.
Regarding transfering of Mr.Jaipal reddy from Oil petrolium ministry and BLIND promotion of Mr.Kurshid as Foreign minister,I share the views of the majority of readers who have expressed their displeasure.
Its appalling to see a person who has been accused in a corruption case and has
openly threatened a citizen has now been promoted to a higher ministry. Congress
has committed another big mistake by ignoring the people of this country.
There isn't any bias, when ministers are appointed. Mr. Chidambaram
can be made any minister, so can Mr. Sibal, so can Mr. Antony. The
idea might be, that some Lok Sabha members make good ministers,
generally. I agree, doesn't everyone? Should every Lok Sabha member,
be made a minister for sometime? Would Mr. Kejriwal not object, if he
felt Mr. Antony should not be minister, and someone he feels certain
is a criminal, does become? And, Mr. Kejriwal would be in Mr. Antony's
shoes, if he became important in the Lok Sabha. It seems, people want
the legislators that they are not doing anyone a service, because no
Indian is doing a service, despite the service sector.
Your editorial is a correct analysis of the cabinet reshuffle which
raised high hopes that this time it wil be dynamic and
purposeful.Unfortunate is the down grading of Jaipal Reddy which clearly
shows that the industry is actually running the government and thos who
cross swords with Reliance will come to grief
The reshuffle of ministry of Manmohan singh has not changed its satus, same old Namk haram's are being given post or elevated to the higher post.Youngster's have not been given proper inportance or recognitions, hence standard of work system, efficiency of the ministry will not improve.If this is the status, what for reshufling wanted at this hour.Hope youngster's was not given chance because they may change whole system and may be the problem for looters, corruption minister and corrupt ministers, smugglers, Black money holders etc., etc.Most unfortunate thing is, we cannot expect any improvement in any field with the present set of Ministers, Government. Now it is time for the public,s, voters to decide about change of Government, and change is must for the benefit of India, If at all needs good, honest and sincere Government, must not elect the same congress party, same old politicians, same old ministers.
The highly touted reshuffle has at last happened.Mr Manmohan is
fortunate to get Manish et al.Congress loses a spokesman who can undo
the damage from any scam.Now the team will be dynamic.Expect more
reforms. More scams.Manmohan may rule out further reshuffle before
elections.But further outbreak of scams will prove him wrong. Mangomen
deserve better govt
Salman should be pinching himself. He was threatening IAC persons about
bloodshed etc like a goon. Now he is the Indian face amongst diplomatic community.
Moral of the story is be corrupt, but keep your party chief happy.
INDIA under UPA government is on a mission to tarnish countries image.
Central Minister Jaipal Reddy is shifted from the Petroleum and Natural gas portfolio, presumably, as part of a rigorous exercise of face-polishing for the Cabinet. There was report that he would have to move under pressure from a major industrial house. For the common man there are two factors that worry him. Firstly, he never expected that a Minister, who resisted the Reliance power and saved the exchequer thousands of crores of rupees and brought the giant under the scrutiny of the CAG, ever existed in the corruption-filled Manmohan Singh government. Secondly, it is seen that, in no time, Reddy is divested of his powers over RIL, commensurate with Congress and UPA traditions, as if in a challenge to the poor voter.
It is difficult to understand that the person, who threatened Mr. Kejriwal to terminate him, is promoted from the Law ministry to foreign ministry. Khurshid has also charges of financial malpractice in NGO of handicapped fund. It may be because dynasty congress wants to appease the Muslims community or the congress might want Khurshid type of stained personalities who has power and influence to scare opposition by talking about blood bath, fund laundering and pollute the society by corruptions, scams. The level of corruptions and scams we are facing today is groomed since Jawaharlal Nehru time. Same tradition the dynasty congress is showing by promoting Salman Khurshid.
The reshuffle is not on development. It is on muscle power, to encourage more corruptions, scams to win next election.
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