Rajnath yet to deliver results

By J. P. Shukla

LUCKNOW, FEB. 11. The political complexities of Uttar Pradesh seem to be defying solution, the experiments of the BJP to come to terms with their consequences notwithstanding. The latest experiment to bring in the Chief Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh, has also failed to deliver the desired results. With the Assembly elections drawing closer, the party is anxious to restore its popularity.

Mr. Rajnath Singh completed 100 days in office this week and stocktaking of his achievements during this period has already started in various quarters. The BJP had replaced his predecessor, Mr. Ram Prakash Gupta, under the popular perception that he had proved to be ineffective in the Chief Minister's office. The first impression given by Mr. Singh was that he will give a new direction to governance in the State. As things started taking shape, he found that it was not an easy task to infuse dynamism in the functioning of the administration. Today, he is pleading helplessness, seeking more time to put the administrative machinery on the right track.

The helplessness of the Chief Minister was in fact apparent within the first week of his tenure when he failed to effect any changes in the Ministerial portfolios. He had announced that he will take his own decisions on the formation of the Ministry. He waited for a week to announce the departments of the Ministers. Ultimately, when he announced the list, it was evident that he had been compelled to accept what had been handed over to him by his predecessor.

``Improve the law and order situation within a fortnight'' was his first directive to the law-enforcing agencies. Now, he is accepting that much needed to be done in this matter. What was worse was the exposure of his own role in some cases, necessitating harsh action to deal with people responsible for aberrations. He refused to invoke the NSA against a known criminal, Kaushal Singh, allegedly involved in ISI activities. He resorted to the move, ignoring pleas by several Ministers hailing from Gorakhpur.

A system to hold Panchayats of various social groups had been initiated mainly to channelise public resentment. The exercise was successful till it became clear that the Government had neither the resources nor a willing bureaucratic machinery to translate promises into reality.

The Chief Minister had reason to be disappointed at the failure of the Prime Minister to help the State tide over its financial problems. The Centre seems agreeable to come to help in the implementation of developmental plans. However, the idea of helping the State financially to enable it pay its employees or waive off power dues do not seem practical propositions.

Mr. Ram Prakash Gupta was criticised for being an ineffective Chief Minister but his open criticism of corruption in Government machinery was generally lauded. He had said stern action would be taken against corrupt officials and has made the Vigilance Department active.

Corruption seemed to have been taken out from the administrative agenda since the arrival of Mr. Rajnath Singh. His decisions to give plum posts to some controversial bureaucrats has become a talking point in political circles. And, that has prompted his adversaries to question his own honesty.

Another problem for the BJP after Mr. Singh assumed office was the recurrence of internal bickerings in the party. A ``weak Ram Prakash Gupta'' had no detractors in his party.

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