Editorial
Expansion of the cabinet
Lacks a substantive approach
We would like to ask whether the government is expanding the cabinet to ensure better governance or to assuage disgruntlement both within the ruling party and also in the grand alliance. If it is the first, we welcome the move. If however, it is the latter then the step leaves something more to be desired.
Keeping the alliance in mind, the Prime Minister decided on including some of the most vocal critics of the government in the new reshuffle. But this approach of hers appears to have partly boomeranged because Rashed Khan Menon of the Workers Party has decided to opt out, though Hasanul Haque Inu of JSD is joining in.
The name of Tofail Ahmed figured briefly and one would have thought that it had been a mistake not to have included him in the cabinet from the very beginning. However that bit of good sense too seems to have been belied as Tofail has decided to decline the offer.
With the government under fire for widespread corruption, a string of financial scams rocking the banking sector and galloping inflation, not to mention price hike of utilities, it is perhaps not too surprising that some feel the latest offer for positions in the cabinet is basically an exercise at damage control at a wrong time. We are uncertain as to what good this last moment cabinet expansion will do.
However, we feel strongly that some people should have gone in this latest move. There have been a number of non-performers. The distribution of portfolios till now has, at best, been arbitrary in nature and at worse not based on competence, with some praiseworthy exceptions. Although the PM may believe that the cabinet is collective decision-making apparatus, running a ministry well is wholly dependent on the capacity of the individual in charge.
We suggest that along with the cabinet expansion there should be a reshuffle, with some being shown the door, others downgraded and still others being given new portfolios. The Prime Minister has an opportunity now to take a total view of her cabinet, seriously judge who has done what and plan a thorough restructuring so that she can set the best example of her governance abilities in the time that is left of her tenure.
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