Dr. Gopal Parthasarthi Sharma
Finally! We have a complete state cabinet with no more vacancies to keep the ruling legislators guessing. At last, the ‘reshuffle ghost’ is dead. No more tormenting of the poor legislators and the self-proclaimed political pundits going out of job overnight. All speculations about the ministerial rejig put to a final rest. Everything seems to be in place with a few entering the real corridors of power while others shown door. Some regions over-empowered at the cost of others with individual celebrations and heartburns. This is normal practice in democracy and let’s wish the new team a smooth sail. Anyway, is it going to be smooth sail? – A million dollar question.
Quite tactically both the coalition partners dexterously managed their legislators in last three years by keeping a few ministerial berths pending and keeping the ‘reshuffle ghost’ looming large. This kept all the legislators guessing about their prospects and kept them shut for such a long time. They kept on trumpeting about their Government’s achievements and digested all sorts of ignominy, non-inclusion in important matters, lack of developmental works in their respective constituencies, and even faced the public criticism just to keep their prospects of getting a ministerial berth intact. In fact, in the absence of a strong state leadership in both the parties, the ‘reshuffle ghost’ worked like a magical gel and kept the flock together.
It was amusing to see that even the otherwise vocal and fire-brand leaders were tamed for such a long time and they kept on dodging questions on controversial issues. They even forgot some of the core issues that were very close to their hearts. They bore all the pain of keeping a number of burning issues within themselves for such a long time. The point men from both the partners kept on suggesting ‘possible reshuffle’ on regular intervals so as to keep the herd on the right track. In the last couple of months, the ruling legislators were seen as timid school kids shirking away from raising the very basic demands of the people just to be in the good books of their respective party bosses. Even the media kept the pot boiling by suggesting as well as promoting various leaders as possible inclusions or exclusions from the cabinet.
Not only legislators but the ministers too were under tremendous pressure while dealing with the ‘reshuffle ghost’ as they were the most vulnerable lot. They must have faced sleepless nights thinking about losing the coveted office. They obeyed their bosses religiously and worked as per the coalition compulsions. They did exactly what was expected out of them and in the process possibly achieved much less than their personal targets (pun intended).
The above observations may not be correct for a few ministers and a couple of legislators who tried to give a valiant fight to the ‘reshuffle ghost’. They stood their ground and paid the price of pursuing their hearts and electorate’s genuine issues. Finally they stand annihilated with such ministers being shown door while legislators ignored for the reshuffle.
Now, in the absence of any political bait like ‘reshuffle’, both the coalition partners may have to face unruly legislators in the coming days. With the present Coalition Government filling all the ministerial berths in the State Government, the left out legislators are expected to show more aggression with coming sessions possibly marred with walk outs, emotional outbursts, anti-Government media statements, and charges of inefficiency of the Ministers – that too from the ruling legislators. The opposition is sure to get good number of supporters from within the Government on key issues. The Government will certainly have to face embarrassment at the hands of those who have been sidelined for whatever reasons.
Upper house of the legislature seems to be worst hit by the reshuffle as both the coalition partners totally ignored the expectations of the ‘house of elders’. Many of the legislators from this house left no stone unturned to get into the cabinet. They used all the possible channels within their parties to get the prize position but all in vain. Ministers are going to face a tough time in the upper house as the legislators will be a changed lot this time, a more aggressive group. They will certainly corner the Government on controversial issues.
The ‘giant killers’, ‘heavy weights’, ‘mass leaders’, ‘senior leaders’ etc. who were more than sure of their clout in respective parties are fuming with anger. Many of them gave a miss to the swearing-in ceremony to express their displeasure and discomfiture. Some of the legislators have already started firing the salvos for not getting inducted in the cabinet. Now, after the cat is finally out and they have been left out for caste or region or political grouping considerations. They are feeling cheated. Now let’s expect them to look at their own Government more critically and raise genuine issues of their constituencies vociferously. Now they have nothing to lose as there is hardly any scope for any major reshuffle in the ministry. While one of them is seen travelling across the length and breadth of Jammu province against the wishes of the state unit of the party the other was seen giving a media interview invoking step-motherly treatment meted to him during inauguration of Nashri Tunnel more than a year back. Its amusing to see many of them awakening out of long slumber of some magical spell.
Since most of the portfolios have been changed once again there will large scale transfers on key positions in almost all the departments. Unlike last time when legislators remained mute spectators this time they will try to force their choices for their respective constituencies. They will certainly take up cudgels against ministers if their demands are not met because they are relieved of all pressure now.
Pressure to perform in view of 2019 parliamentary elections coupled with aggressive stance of fellow legislators is going to give a tough time to the newly inducted ministers. The fact, that most of the ministers are first timers and lack administrative experience is going to make the situation even more ambiguous. Still, let’s hope for the best…
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