Just want to clarify that shadow cabinets are not new to India as your article claimed. We have seen them at centre time to time. Every body won't publicize as the Maharashtra guys are doin g and which is the only difference. The reason for failure of such a concept in india is due to politics. A plotical party which lost the elections don't wan to divide it's left out MLA/MPs by providing some form of a shadow post to few.
Letter on Shadow cabinet continued.... In the present Maharashtra initiative it is doubtful whether Sarpotdar (with severe criminal charges against him) and the Shiv Sena can contribute much towards a healthy shadow government; but if SS properly understands and implements this concept in its true spirit rather than only political bashing, it can be an effective way towards good governance. Otherwise the SS-BJP "shadow cabinet" will only leave behind a shadow of communalism and mud-slinging politics, decrying the very spirit of this initiative and further alienating people from such an idea.
What is to be remembered by initiators of such a idea is that, for it to successful in India, there should be tremendous involvement of citizens, social activists, professionals, community persons and not just opposition political representatives through shakas, party offices etc. Ultimately a shadow government is based on the principle "Co-operate where you can......Resist where you must and.......Appreciate whenever the opportunity arises."
Yours truly Ronald L. Rebello Add: 28 Sunrise (552), Samta Nagar, Kandivali (E), Mumbai 400 101 Tel: 91-22-28872741 Email: yoursfrankly@rediffmail.com
Seems like someone is allready doing that in india .
Chandrababu naidu is allready practicing this in Andhra Pradesh and there are legislators who actively track the congress ministers man for man and their efficiency and ability to extract information makes one wonder if the congress is the party in power or the tdp.
This formation of a shadow government to keep a tab/check on the ruling one is welcome but it only shows the politicians cheap way of 'KISSA KURSI KA' having tasted it in the past and CANNOT DO WITHOUT THE CHAIR 'AT ANY COST'. Who is going to bear the expenses of this shadow govt. albeit the common man only (Mr R K LAXMAN are you listening Sir). Besides 'becoming/being' a shadow govt. minister do they have all previleges as a normal one? or is it restricted to only for their 'INTERNAL PARTY MATTERS' is the million-dollar question!!!
Otherwise these so-called self-appointed ministers would literally 'throw their weight around' for the heck of it.
if its in a positive way in paper and principle than its a very good step in the right way - but that too is a doubt
This is not the first shadow cabinet in the country...I've heard that Chandrababu naidu has a shadow cabinet that is keeping tabs on the YSR govt in Andhra Pradesh.
