By
L.S. Herdenia
BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister
Kamal Nath has accomplished a Herculean task. Although in theory the chief
minister alone has the prerogative about the formation of the ministry, the
ground reality is totally different. The chief minister has to play a delicate
balancing act and by and large he has performed very well.
In
a state like Madhya Pradesh the chief minister has to take care of factors,
including regional, caste, factional representation and also representation of
tribals and scheduled castes. It is generally believed that Kamal Nath has
succeeded in also giving representation to two important factional leaders –
Digvijay Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Most
of the ministerial berths have been given to followers of Digvijay Singh, Scindia
and Kamal Nath himself. Only one berth has been given to Sachin Yadav, brother
of Arun Yadav.
The
names of the ministers were finalised by state Congress leaders, including
Nath, Scindia and Singh and ultimately by party president Rahul Gandhi. The cabinet
team includes 11 loyalists of the chief minister, nine belonging to the
Digvijay Singh camp and seven owing loyalty to Scindia and one from Arun
Yadav’s camp. Keeping the regional balance in view Kamal Nath inducted nine
legislators from Malwa-Nimar, six from central Madhya Pradesh, five
representing Gwalior-Chambal region, three from Bundelkhand and one from
Vindhya Pradesh.
Despite
all attempts to please all the factions, two important leaders were left out.
One of them is K. P. Singh, regarded as a Digvijay Singh follower. His
exclusion led to loud protests by his followers, who raised slogans and
asserted that it was injustice to their constituency as a five term MLA. It is
well known that the Scindia camp prevented his entry in the cabinet.
Besides
K. P. Singh, the non-inclusion of BSP and SP MLAs also led to mild protests.
The support of two BSP and lone SP MLA is very crucial for the Nath government.
They were not included as Kamal Nath had declared that no first time MLA will
be made minister. BSP and SP MLAs were first-timers; therefore they were not
given the ministerial berth.
Besides
Congress MLAs one independent MLA has been included. He contested as
independent after he was denied ticket by Congress. Interestingly he defeated
Sanjay Singh Masani, brother-in-law of former chief minister Shiv Raj Singh
Chouhan, who was sponsored by the Congress.
All
the 28 ministers have been given cabinet rank. This is unusual as normally some
ministers are given only minister of state rank.
Those
who have made it to the ministry include the son of Digvijay Singh, who also
happens to be the youngest minister. Only two women have been included.
Incidentally both of them come from reserved categories while Arif Aqueel will
represent Muslims in the cabinet. Aqueel was also member of the Digvijay Singh
Ministry. Besides him there is one more Muslim MLA. Both hail from Bhopal.
After
the cabinet formation it is generally felt that besides Kamal Nath, Digvijay
Singh emerged as the strongest person. He played a crucial role in the
election, in the selection of Kamal Nath as CM and also in the choice of
ministers. He is also expected to play a decisive role in the selection of new
chief secretary and director general of Police and also in giving assignments
to various senior officers. While Kamal Nath has vast experience as a Central
minister, Digvijaya Singh has the experience of state administration. Both will
make an effective, efficient team.
Addressing
an informal cabinet meeting held at the PCC office, the chief minister advised
his colleagues not to ‘leave their ground’ and remain in constant touch with
the people and prepare for the Lok Sabha elections. Besides Kamal Nath,
Digvijay Singh also addressed the meeting. Both of them asked the cabinet
members which portfolio they would like to be allotted and reason thereof. (IPA Service)
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