I Swear! - My dream Cabinet

The combination is out in the open. The next Government will have a strength of 274 in the Lower House with the RJD (4), SP (23), BSP(21) supporting from outside. Thankfully with the Cong at 206, the only allies that can extract their pound of flech would be the TC (19) and DMK (18). 

With the appointment letter firmly in Manmohan Singh's pocket, the next major step in the Government formation would be the appointment of the Council of Ministers and the swearing in ceremony. Hence this post, compiling my dream Union Cabinet. 

• Prime Minister: Dr. Manmohan Singh
• Home Minister: P Chidambaram
  
• Finance Minister: Dr. C Rangarajan (former RBI Governor)* 
• External Affairs Minister: Pranab Mukherjee
  
• Defence Minister:  AK Anthony
• Petroleum & Energy: Murli Deora
  
• IT & Telecom: Dayanidhi Maran
  
• Rural/ Panchayati Raj: Rahul Gandhi**
• Civil Aviation: Praful Patel
  
• Food & Agriculture: Sharad Pawar
• Law Minister: HR Bharadwaj
  
• Commerce & Industry (including Steel): Kamal Nath
  
• Minorities: Farooq Abdullah
• Urban Development: Shashi Tharoor
• Parliamentary Affairs: Priyaranjan Dasmunshi
• Power Ministry: Sushil Kumar Shinde
• Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises: Mani Shankar Aiyar
• Sports: MS Gill
• Tourism & Culture: Ambika Soni
• Human Resource: Kapil Sibal
  
• Railways: Trinamool Congress' Nominee
• Environment & Forests: Trinamool Congress' Nominee
  
• Science and Technology: DMK Nominee
• Shipping: DMK Nominee
  

The swearing-in ceremony is to be held in 2 days. Till then, its fingers crossed! 

* I'd prefer Dr. Rangarajan ahead of Montek Ahluwalia, who I think is cut out for the Planning Commission, which I deem is a larger role. 

**Somebody strong is essential to ensure justice done to rural development. Who else can be stronger in the Congress set-up? 

Agenda for the New Central Government

Though the battle was bitter, the result was decisive. The decisive mandate also gives the expectedly pro-reformist Government the enormous benefit of not having bitter alliance partners. 

The recession being a global phenomenon, the remedy is not going to be home made. Therefore apart from some short term stimulus, the major focus should be on ensuring long term sustainable growth. The past 5 years have seen some exceptional schemes like the RTI, Nuclear deal, National Rural Health Mission and NREGA. Now with the left on the wrong side of the Government and going by the PM's natural inclination, the banking and economic reforms would surely receive a kick-start. This would have been no different even if a BJP-led NDA had come to power. The BJP is a religious right wing and not a ecomonic right wing party. 

Where I think this Government should try make a difference would be in areas of Governance and Infrastructure development - traditionally the banes of most Congress governments. 

I deem a focus on the following parameters as essential for the success of this Government. On the governance front: 

• Police Reforms - To make the police department an effective deterrant to criminals 
• CBI reforms - To move the agency from the clutches of the Central Govt and make it truely independent. 

• Judicial Reforms - No more justice denied or justice delayed
• Administrative reforms - Make the bureacracy more accountable
• Strengthen Lok Ayukta and ACB 

With a conscientious PM at the help, this is perhaps the best time for these reforms to come about. On the infrastructure front: 

• Another round of power sector refroms - with a view on clean power. Achieve 'Power for all by 2012'
  
• Renewed focus on Highways and upgrading the road network; connecting all villages
• Keep up the momentum on freight corridors and speed trains 

Needless to say, the absence of the Left should not pre-empt reckless reforms. 'Conscience keeping' needs to be an important trait ingrained into all aspects of governance and development.