Race Course Road

India Today
November 9, 1998

RACE COURSE ROAD
Changing Tack

Vajpayee realises non-interference isn't such a good thing

Prabhu Chawla

The ruling BJP has no shortage of political dinosaurs. Among Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's challenges is to convert some of them into sleeker, efficient human machines. Failing which he has to dump them for good. As the countdown to the crucial elections to four assemblies began this week, Vajpayee's backroom boys were desperately looking for a strategy which would insulate the prime minister from any adverse impact that may arise from a negative mandate.

Realising that he wouldn't be able to absolve himself fully for the non-performance of his cabinet colleagues, Vajpayee has chosen to reverse partially his earlier policy of non-interference in other ministries. His first targets were the crucial and sensitive ministries. For example, when he discovered that Minister of Law and Company Affairs M. Thambi Durai was dilly-dallying on buy-back legislation, Vajpayee convened a cabinet meeting and forced the issue. Ignoring Thambi Durai's stiff opposition, the Cabinet directed him to draft the new legislation and send it to the President within the next 48 hours.

In the case of Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi too the prime minister chose to distance himself from the ministry's agenda for the State Education Ministers' Conference. Vajpayee not only advised Joshi to withdraw controversial proposals, he scrupulously avoided endorsing any of the suggestions made by his own minister.

Vajpayee took his newly-acquired image further when he convened a meeting of all the economic ministers to discuss, among other things, the skyrocketing prices of vegetables, fruits and foodgrains. It was for the first time since he took over in March that the prime minister had summoned his key ministers for a brainstorming session on the economy.

The primary objective of Vajpayee's new initiative is to drive home the point that he would not allow his stint in office to be jeopardised merely because of the failure of his colleagues in the Government or in the party. While in the past he was not party to any of the decisions taken by his ministers, now he is openly distancing himself from their wrongdoings. Now the suave 75-year-old prime minister will need all his political deftness to ensure his party's victory in the assembly elections. With the euphoria of March fading away, Vajpayee now has a vested interest in playing down recession, sorting out intra-party squabbles and check the rising prices of essential commodities in order to boost the chances of his party retaining power in Delhi and regaining Madhya Pradesh.

If one goes by public perception, the BJP is trailing the Congress both in Delhi and Rajasthan while it is relatively better placed in Madhya Pradesh. Though it is essentially the responsibility of the party organisation to formulate election strategy, the prime minister has decided to assert himself in the selection of candidates for both Delhi and Rajasthan. Since party chief Kushabhau Thakre lacks both charisma and craftsmanship, Vajpayee has opened direct dialogue with prospective allies, including the disgruntled elements in the Congress. He is finally realising that there's more to power politics than mere oratory.

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