Although political experts and the Opposition may feel the latest reshuffle of the Council of Ministers has brought about only cosmetic changes (“Mildly dramatic, no show-stopper,” Oct. 29), I think it is quite significant. Many young Ministers have been given a more important role. The elevation of Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ajay Maken, and the induction of Manish Tewari are welcome. Another significant feature is that many top portfolios like Finance, Commerce and Defence have remained unchanged, which means good work has been recognised. Salman Khurshid getting the External Affairs Ministry shows the Prime Minister’s faith in him. It is hoped that the new team will work towards fulfilling people’s aspirations and making our country a better place to live in, considering that it has been brought to a virtual standstill in the last one-and-a-half years.
Amit Bhandari,
New Delhi
The reshuffle reflects the needs of coalition politics. But it remains to be seen whether the re-jigged Council of Ministers can inspire confidence and take the reforms agenda further.
Pradyut Hande,
Mumbai
The reshuffle is old wine in a new bottle. The cosmetic surgery comes at a most inappropriate time when the government is being accused of being a mute spectator to the innumerable scams unravelled in the last couple of years.
Ashok Jayaram,
Bangalore
The government now has 10 Ministers from Andhra Pradesh. This is possibly to appease the Telangana movement. It is hoped that the infusion of young blood will refurbish the image of the Congress, which is fast losing the confidence of the A.P. electorate.
R. Ramachandra Rao,
Hyderabad
Andhra Pradesh has finally got a lion’s share in the Cabinet. The Prime Minster deserves praise for maintaining the regional balance by giving equal representation to the Andhra, Telangana and Rayalaseema regions. The two crowd pulling padayatras — of TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress’ Sharmila — seem to have influenced the decision. However, the induction of new faces from the State is of little help in resolving the knotty issue of a separate Telangana and meeting the challenge of Jaganmohan Reddy’s growing popularity.
M. Somasekhar Prasad,
Badvel
The reshuffle was a please-all exercise which took into account everything from caste and community equations to regional considerations. Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal benefited the maximum as the Congress tried to send out signals to both the Jagan camp and Mamata Banerjee. In the choice and upgrade of Ministers, it is politics that has largely influenced the decision.
J.S. Acharya,
Hyderabad
