The more things change, the more they remain the same.
The first set of Ministers sworn in along with Dr.Manmohan Singh has the same tired old faces. Though it is likely that one might see some new faces when the Cabinet is expanded on tuesday, the Cabinet Ministers, who really matter, are likely to be an inheritance from the old disastrous set.
While Pranab Mukherjee purportedly did a great job as a trouble shooter and head of maximum number of Ministerial Committees, it needs to be noted that most of these committees hardly produced anything worthwhile during the last 5 years. They were more of a tool to put controversial and much needed reforms into the orbit. Making him the full time Finance Minister will also mean that MMS wont have the carte blanche on the economic front as he wanted.
Chidambaram is a reluctant Home Minister, though efficient. He positively did not want this crown of thorns, but he is the best choice under the circumstances.
The defense requires someone more dynamic than AK Antony. Antony is a nice guy, but too nice for this critical post. The Army is quite upset on the one rank, one pay, one pension issue and Antony is a poor decision maker at best. The hardware needs considerable upgradation, but under Antony, though very honest, things are likely to remain status quo, which can adversely affect the Defense's readiness to protect our country from a rogue Pakistan and a China that is chipping away at our borders. Someone like Chidambaram would have made a terrific difference in Defence.
The suave SM Krishna as Foreign Minister is a brave move. But he lacks experience in this Ministry, though he is a good administrator. With India's South Asian policy on the brink, a more experienced, out of the box thinker would have helped. A pity Mani Shankar Aiyer lost the elections. He would have done well, though the Americans would have never allowed him to become the FM. But he is one guy who can shed the complacency that is currently prevalent in this moribund ministry, that is badly in need of a major shake up and policy change. Our Foreign policy is too West Centric and it is high time we looked at Asia and Africa in a more positive way.
Despite Farmers committing suicide, and despite him being an unqualified disaster during the past 5 years, Sharad Pawar continues to be the Agricultural Minister. The reports from the West on the food front is not very great. Looks like we are in for another Food shortage in the immediate future. Pawar has been caught napping in the past, and nothing makes me think that he wont be again.
Mamata as Railways Minister is a disaster waiting to happen. Though Lalu did a good job as Railway Minister, it is to be noted that he has not concentrated on long term development. Not much investments have been made on rolling stock nor on safety. The Railways are creaking and needs a person with long term vision. Nitish Kumar first and Lalu subsequently, had done good work in this ministry and Didi is likely to take it back to the pre 2000 era of mismanagement.
.............................................................................................................. to be contd after cabinet expansion
