India
‘We are committed to deliver on promises made to people of Madhya Pradesh’
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath talks on a range of issues relating to misgovernance by the previous BJP regime and his government’s priorities in meeting people’s expectations in the state
The contrast is hard to ignore when one compares the last year of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government with that of the first year under Kamal Nath in Madhya Pradesh. Shrill campaigns, aggressive narrative and unfeasible promises marked the third term of Chouhan government.
It was apparently prompted by the hype created by Narendra Modi’s lofty promises made for his prime ministerial campaign before 2014.
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Chouhan changed the gear during the last year of his reign with desperation visible in all his actions. Kamal Nath struck with cool, composed response to the burgeoning demands of the situation.
First the Congress manifesto – Vachan Patra or promissory note as it was presented – aroused the expectation beyond normal level. Paucity of funds and a hostile Central government added to the workload of the state government that replaced a 15-year-old dispensation.
A wafer-thin majority earned with the support of others and turbulence caused by unexpected reverses in the Lok Sabha elections tested the leadership qualities of Kamal Nath both at leader of state Congress and the government. His record of four decades in parliament and as union minister has kept reassuring his party and the public at large in the state.
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He has avoided excessive media appearances and interviews initially. Recently, however, he spared some time for some candid interaction:
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After four decades in national politics you have come to head the state government for a year now. How do you distinguish your experience so far in micro management from macro management you have been so used to?
Of course there is a lot of difference in shifting from macro to micro level operation in governance but our “People First” policy has always been my focal Point. Perspectives, vision, scope and governance systems starkly differ from each other when we come down from macro to micro level.
The priorities and resources of a state also play a major role. If development plans and strategies are comprehensive budgetary resources are confronted with constraints and dependency on the Centre increases. Similarly, development priorities also keep changing so "one size fits all" approach does not work. Only “People First” policy works.
Any special lessons worth mentioning?
Yes, there are many as we keep on learning. I think learning process must go on. So, every day I am enriched by deeper insights coming from the common people. I find that Madhya Pradesh is missing a work culture. If we need accelerated pace of development, we must have a good work culture and environment.
Your tenure so far contrasts starkly with that of the preceding regime in administering without hype. Do you encounter any difficulty in dealing with the masses so used to media overreach?
Sometimes, it is very difficult to manage time with a heavy workload as chief minister. There are many areas which need intensive focus. Many areas skipped in the past required attention. I am up reviewing all existing plans and renewing strategies. We have miles to go, so I am focusing on rejuvenating the economy of Madhya Pradesh.
Factionalism is one of the most talked about issues about your party in Madhya Pradesh. You lead both organisational and administrative wings of the party. How do visualise a change if the organisation were to be headed by someone else?
No, there is no factionalism. ।n fact, Congress is the party which always nourished democratic values. There is inner party democracy,so general perception may percolate down that it is factionalism. There are dialogues, debates, discussions. Senior and junior leaders are free to express themselves in the interest of the party and the people. We are one. We are together and we will keep on strengthening our organisational might.
What tests your political and administrative acumen harder, the economic legacy of the previous regime or the hostility of the Central government?
I would say that the previous government infused too much politics into welfare governance. Illogical talks, unfounded announcements, tall claims, ignoring the ground realities, blatant misuse of budgetary resources, under utilisation of human resources, spending hugely on image makeover ventures and ignoring people’s genuine issues are some of the factors that obstructed much expected economic progress.
Joblessness and inflation are the outcome. Precious time was unmindfully wasted on petty politics. When we came in, the government’s coffers were empty. No budgetary provisions were therefor the announcements made to impress the innocent people.
We are now in the process of redesigning everything. The Manmohan Singh government was extremely liberal in terms of cooperation and support. We expect the same from the present government at the Centre.
Do you think the BJP’s strong pan-Madhya Pradesh ground coverage built over the past 15 years is a key factor behind your party’s failure to sustain the winning tempo during the Lok Sabha elections? The rival party is raising a question mark on your achievements and your team seems to be struggling to effectively counter them.
You know BJP believes in propaganda and not in public agenda.Artfully, they diverted people’s attention towards non-issues in the name of pseudo nationalism. Layers of falsehood were created.
Real issues like unemployment, inflation, economic slowdown got the backseat. Today, people understand they made a mistake. Facts were presented as fiction and fiction was made fact. It is all in public knowledge now.
You have a tenuous majority in the Assembly and perhaps one of the most inexperienced ministries in the state’s history so far. How hard is it to handle this situation?
To me, what works is commitment. The previous government had strength in the Assembly but they failed in discharging their responsibilities towards people. So far as inexperience of ministers are concerned, I would say that it is the youngest cabinet. How would youngsters learn until given a chance to perform?
What would you rate as your biggest achievement during the past one year?
We have taken some radical decisions in a short span of time but waiving off debts of farmers is the biggest one. The suffering farmers are relieved from debts. The process is going on. We have also given relief to tribal people who were leading a stressful life under debt of moneylenders.
We have so far fulfilled 365 promises in a short period. We are committed to honouring our promises to people. Now the faith of investors’ community is reviving and results will soon be visible.
What is the most forgettable part of the tenure so far?
The most forgettable part is the allegation from the Opposition that extremely new government has ruined the state.
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