Teething Troubles

The rush of developments in its very first week in office has sent out so many uncomfortable vibes that questions are already being raised about the longevity of the United Progressive Alliance government.
Within a matter of days the euphoria over Sonia Gandhi’s refusal to accept the post of Prime Minister, and Dr Manmohan Singh’s accession to the top job, all but evaporated.The first signs that something was seriously amiss came during the formation of the cabinet as allies and Congress leaders alike sought to extract their pound of flesh in a manner shorn of democratic civilities.
Some were concerned about the pecking order. Others seemed determined to exploit their presence at the Centre to settle scores with their rivals in state politics. But many also dropped dark hints that it wasn’t service to the nation that they had in mind when they sought this or the other ministry but an opportunity to fill their own coffers.
The expenses they had incurred to get elected — which, from all accounts, exceeded the permissible limits several fold — had to be recovered. Hence the threats, the sulking, the bitterness, the wrath and the feverish and baleful efforts at reconciliation. The final line-up of the ministers added to the sense of discomfiture.
Missing from the list were many fresh faces. The choice of several veterans, including some who had failed to get elected, did not go down well at all. But in their case it could at least be said that the vast political and administrative experience they command would stand the new government in good stead.
No such reasoning could be applied to several ministers who have run afoul of the law. It is no doubt true that there was no legal or constitutional provision to bar them from assuming office. But their presence in a cabinet presided over by a man widely admired for his integrity left a taste of ash in the mouth. The BJP has chosen to take the high moral ground on this issue. But its own record for probity hasnt quite been without a blemish.
The misdemeanours of a Bangaru Laxman and a Dilip Singh Judeo have not altogether faded from public memory.
The managers of the Congress could also have handled a miffed DMK with greater sensitivity. Dr Karunanidhi did ultimately get his way but the episode does reveal the potential dangers to the government. The Congress will need to bend over backwards not to bruise the susceptibilities of its allies. And the allies, in turn, will need to make sure that their tantrums are not tantamount to black mail.
This latter prospect is to be feared in the case of the allies who are supporting the Manmohan Singh government from the outside. The Left parties already caused a scare in the bourses with their intemperate remarks about disinvestment. But their attempts to push through their ideas on economic and foreign policies in the common minimum programme were far too brash for comfort.
Sooner than later these teething problems will be out of the way. The key question remains: when would the unbound ambition of the alliance partners threaten the survival of the government? Cracks are bound to appear when elections take place in those states where the Congress will be pitted against one or the other ally.
At the same time, however, the prospect of the BJP reviving its fortunes and the dread thought of a mid-term poll, not to mention the awesome trust that Manmohan Singh inspires, should goad the partners to hang together. This is a hope, not a forecast. Its realisation depends on how swiftly the government delivers on its promises.