Mamata back on track

Don’t let Ms Banerjee return to Rail Bhavan

It is the prerogative of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to bid farewell and welcome back a coalition partner. Since Ms Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress is a pre-election partner of the NDA, even if she has been a troublesome partner, the NDA can argue that it has the people’s mandate to bring her back into the coalition. However, all such arguments are for those who want to debate the niceties of form and procedure. In the mayhem of coalition politics no one has time for decorum and principles. The winner takes all. The immediate consequence of Ms Banerjee’s return is that it strengthens the NDA’s parliamentary base. While there was no threat to the survival in government of the NDA, the post-Tehelka phase of uncertainty can be said to have ended with the return of the Trinamool Congress and PMK to the NDA’s fold. This is good news for those who seek political stability and are in no hurry to face another general election. It is not necessarily good news for the country, unless the Prime Minister is able to make good use of his enlarged parliamentary support. One way in which he can make use of Ms Banerjee’s return is by not returning her to the post she vacated. In the interests of the Indian Railways Ms Banerjee should be kept far away from Rail Bhavan.

Indeed, it is best Ms Banerjee is kept away from any economic ministry where the Prime Minister would like to see reform pursued and populism abandoned. There is renewed talk of a cabinet reshuffle. Mr Vajpayee can certainly afford to now send a message that he’s back in business by undertaking a major shake up with performance on mind. Ministers who have not delivered or have been far too preoccupied defending vested interests and lining their pockets on the side should be moved around or, even, dropped. The performers ought to be rewarded. The interregnum between monsoon and winter sessions of Parliament is the only time available for Mr Vajpayee to undertake such an exercise. If he misses the bus now, he might as well prepare for retirement.