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Political Notes

	May 09, 2005

Cabinet reshuffle on cards



There are reports that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may reshuffle his Council of Ministers any time between May 13, the day the current Parliament session ends, and May 22, when the UPA Government completes one year in office. He is reported to have discussed the question of more effective functioning of the Government with UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. They are learnt to have agreed on entrusting the charge of half-a-dozen crucial ministries to experienced and competent hands.

While it is not clear who might be dropped, it is learnt that the guiding consideration for any shake up would be effective functioning and performance. It is understood that the exercise will remain restricted to Ministers belonging to the Congress.

The Prime Minister has set two distinct yardsticks for the exercise - competence and transparency. In fact, quite a few Ministers have been closely watched and found wanting on either count. What particularly concerns the PM is that some ministers holding infrastructure portfolios, have been completely out of tune with the climate of growth.



CPI(M) politburo to evaluate UPA Government’s performance



The CPI(M) politburo is holding a two-day meeting in New Delhi from May 14 to evaluate the UPA Government’s first year in office and the areas where it has not implemented the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). Observers say that the politburo is likely to be outspoken in its criticism of UPA’s deviation from the CMP. An article in the party organ, People’s Democracy, by CPIM general secretary Prakash Karat says, “the continuance of the UPA Government in office depends on its willingness to implement the pro-people measures in the CMP and how it maintains the unity of the UPA coalition.” Karat further writes that the party has extended support to the UPA Government with the clear understanding that in the present situation, it is not possible to have a secular government without the Congress involvement.

In a related move, the Left parties have made it clear that they will vote against the Banking Law (Amendments) mooted by the Manmohan Singh Government. The proposals the Left parties are opposing are the ones which seek to give shareholders voting rights in line with their equity stakes in private banks. CPI(M) Politburo member, M.K. Pandhe said the Government move paves the way for partial denationalisation and amounts to hoodwinking the people.

In Kolkata, veteran CPI(M) leader, Jyoti Basu said the Manmohan Singh Government has failed to implement all, but one or two, of the provisions in the Common Minimum Programme. Addressing a rally on May Day, he said if the Government continues to pursue anti-people policies, it would be punished.



Sangma all set to rejoin NCP



The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has said that former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma is set to return to its fold from the All India Trinamool Congress as soon as technical details about membership of the Lok Sabha are sorted out. NCP spokesman D.P. Tripathi said in New Delhi last week that Sangma would attend the NCP national convention in Surat on June 10.

Sangma, who was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha on a Trinamool Congress ticket, declared his intent to return to the NCP about a fortnight ago. He had parted ways with the NCP ahead of Lok Sabha elections after it tied up with the Congress. That he has broken ranks with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of which the Trinamool Congress is a part, became clear last week as he attended proceedings on at least two days despite the ongoing Opposition boycott of Parliament.



Punjab to move Supreme Court against Rajasthan High Court verdict



The Punjab Government has decided to move the Supreme Court against the Rajasthan High Court order asking the state Government to hand over the control of the three headworks on the Bhakra Nangal and Beas projects to the Bhakra Beas Management Board. The order was passed on a petition seeking directions to safeguard the share of residents of Rajasthan in river waters through strict compliance with the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The petition alleged that the Punjab Government was not allowing water to flow into Rajasthan.

Punjab Chief Minister Amrinder Singh said that the Rajasthan High Court order is unfortunate. On the other hand, Akali Dal leader and former Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal said that the Rajasthan court order is a result of the blunders of successive Congress governments in Punjab.



Model Nikahnama formulated



The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has unveiled the long-awaited model Nikahnama (Marriage contract) granting extensive rights to women. The main features of the model Nikahnama are that written records will be kept of all marriages and both the bride and the groom will get copies of the agreement. The Nikahnama also specifies that divorce will be the last resort. It asks Muslims to refrain from pronouncing triple talak. Observers say that while the model Nikahnama is an advance on the past practices, it does not meet the need of and demand of Muslim women for equal rights. Muslim women groups say that it does not go far enough to meet their aspirations.



CBI questions NDA leader in Tehelka cases



The CBI has questioned the Janata Dal United leader Jaya Jaitely in the Tehelka expose. Simultaneously, senior Ministers in the UPA Government have made serious allegations against two Ministers in the Vajpayee Government, George Fernandes and Arun Shourie. Observers see the fresh developments as part of the Government’s move to corner the NDA over its record while in office.

Meanwhile, former Defence Minister George Fernandes has threatened to move a court of law if the Manmohan Singh Government does not table the report of the Justice Phukan Commission on defence purchases within three days. In a letter to the Speaker, George Fernandes said that the Government has promised to table the report in both Houses of Parliament. But this has not been done so far.

Earlier, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed Parliament that his predecessor George Frnandes had cleared the use of an Indian Air Force plane for Justice S.N. Phukan for visiting Pune, Ahmednagar and Mumbai at public expense. He said IAF planes are not normally allowed to be used by commissions of inquiry.



Crucial byelections for the Goa Assembly on June 2



The Election Commission has announced the schedule for holding byelections in 12 Assembly constituencies in different states. Five of the constituencies are in Goa where the State Assembly is in suspended animation. The results of the five seats in the byelections to be held on June 2 will have a crucial impact on the formation of a new Government in Goa. Both the Congress and the BJP have almost an equal number of members in the State Assembly.