NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narasimha Rao finds himself in deep trouble. On one hand, he has been cornered by BJ.P. And its Hindu fundamentalist allies and on the other hand dissentions have broken out in the ruling Congress (I) party. This week’s cabinet reshuffle instead of strengthening him is boomeranging on him.
In a sudden dinner drama at his official residence on Jan.16 Rao invited his cabinet ministers to dine with him bout at the end he asked them to hand over letters of resignation to him to which all those present obliged. Next day he accepted the resignation of 14 ministers including that of M.L.Fotedar and inducted 10 new faces. Dinesh Singh, a Rajput from U.P., was made external affairs minister, a post held by Rao himself until recently. Pranab Mukherji who served as Mrs.Gandhi’s finance minister for many years is now commerce minister. N.P.K. Salve is among the new ministers. He has been given the portfolio of power.
Most political observers here agree that the cabinet reshuffle has driven Rao closer to Sonia Gandhi’s camp. Her right hand man Captain Satish Sharma has been inducted as minister of state with independent charge. It may be al Sonia’s instance that another Nehru family follower, Fodder. Has been eased out at the same time, Dinesh’s induction is interpreted as a move aimed at weakening Rajput leader Arjun Singh. Assignment of internal security to Rajesh Pilot is seen by many as an effort at weakening home minister S.B.Chavan.
The cabinet reshuffle came in the wake of anti-Muslim riots in Maharashtra and Gujarat which created a critical situation for the Indian government. The State governments in both these states are controlled by the ruling Congress (I) party and not the BJ.P. As was the case in UP. When Babri masjid was destroyed in December. Besides, the Hindu fascist Shiv Sena openly and unabashedly owned responsibility for the riots. Earlier last month, this organization had claimed that its volunteers had destroyed the masjid. Yet this organization was not among the banned groups.
The Indian government’s obvious soft comer for the Maharashtra outfit caused big convulsions among Muslims who became totally alienated from the ruling party. Grave allegations of willful inaction by security forces were leveled when for more than a week the Shiv Sena went about hiding Muslims unchecked. The cabinet reshuffle came as culmination of these developments.
There appears to be a sharp divergence of opinions within the ruling party about the line to be adopted towards the menace of forces of Hindu fundamentalism. Arjun Singh is known to stand for a policy of confrontation against the BJP. And its allies. He has a strong Support base in the south as well as in Madhya Pradesh, UP., Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh where the nulling party ism conflict with the BJ.P. For a long time. Rao on the other hand appears keen to steal the BJ.P. Agenda by projecting what many see as the soft Hindu state for Congress (1). In this tussle, the prime minister has fallen back upon the Nehru dynasty’s support as an offshoot, the Indian part of the Bofors enquires will be buried further.
Meanwhile, resentment against the prime minister’s profascist line is building up with in the Congress (I) party. The Kerala Congress (I) chief Vayalara Ravi has sought an emergency meeting of the All India Congress Committee to discuss the new developments. In a letter to Rao, Ravi has expressed the view that the Indian commitment to communal harmony has received a setback. Ravi is also a critic of Indian government’s economic policies. Observers here feel that Ravi is not alone in criticizing the prime minister. According to many, the rumblings within the ruling party have taken alarming proportions.
The cabinet reshuffle is aimed at thwarting the inner party critics of the prime minister. In addition, Rao has tried to win over U.P.Brahman leader N.DTiwan who has been nominated to the Congress(I) working committee. Tiwari has been kept out of the cabinet and only limited importance has been given (o him so that he does not pose a challenge to the prime minister at a later stage. Other moves of Rao include softening of attitudes towards Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalita. There is also a move to accommodate the Ajit Singh faction of the Janata Dal by providing him a him a berth in the cabinet
Most Muslim Congress (1) men are holding meetings to articulate their opinion on the government’s handling of the anti-Muslim riots and the Ayodhya developments. Tamil Nadu Congress (1) chief has resented the poor representation Biven to Tamil Nadu in the re Shuffle cabinet while Bihar’s Jagannath Mishra feels that the Indian government showed weakness in handling the ‘anti-Muslim riots.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 22, 1993
