The reshuffle of the cabinet on July 12 highlights the uncertainty of the stability of the coalition government. The prime minister had no say in the allocation of a very important portfolio. Two important ministries have been given an additional responsibility of two other important ministers, thereby making four portfolios without full-fledged ministers manning them. The coalition government cannot function with any efficiency if it has to be constantly concerned about its own survival. The Prime Minister, who is answerable to the nation on all matters of governance and on behalf of all ministers, has a ready alibi, “coalition compulsion”. Since coalition governments are unavoidable in our multi-party democracy an antidote to this noxious state of affairs is necessary. There should be a solemn agreement among all political parties forming a coalition government not to exploit the situation.
This way the coalition government formed at the beginning of the term will survive its entire term. No coalition partner would blackmail the government into submission to their will. Once all the parties know that they have no sword to dangle on the government’s head they would be focussed on their accountability to their own constituencies. The Prime Minister will not have an alibi of “coalition compulsion”, which has been heard all too often lately.
Dr Mookhi Amir Ali
Mumbai, M.S.