Bharat, India must merge: CP Joshi
A surprise entrant to Union Cabinet, Prof C P Joshi, is an effective, leader.
By Urmi A Goswami, ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: Among surprise entrants to the Union Cabinet is Prof C P Joshi, a low-profile, yet effective, leader credited with piloting his party to a stunning victory in Rajasthan, bagging 20 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats.
Congress insiders, however, are not too surprised by his entry into the exalted group. Having made it to the big league, he now waits for the portfolio to be allocated to him. Left to himself, he would prefer the rural development ministry or panchayati raj ministry.
He is not unfamiliar with either, though this will be his first foray outside Rajasthan, Mr Joshi held both portfolios in the state, during Mr Ashok Gehlot���s first stint as CM.
Though he says it is too early to start making plans about his 100-day proposals for rural development, Mr Joshi is clearly raring to go. He talks about ensuring basic amenities for the people of the country. ``In 60 years, we have come this far, but we still have a long way to go. There is a section of our people that is still deprived,������ he observes.
With a little bit of prodding, the Rajasthan politician gets cracking about rural development. It can only take place through decentralisation of power and participation of the people, he says, but that is not all, "there is a need for greater vigilance."
He refers to NREGA, the flagship rural development programme launched by the UPA government during its first tenure, and suggests need for better vigilance and greater people's participation. At the same time, he is guarded, as the work-allocation to ministers other than the top six is yet to be done.
The senior Congress leader���s interest in rural development seems to be in keeping with the interests of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi. He is reportedly close to Rahul Gandhi and Mr Joshi takes his cue from the Congress general secretary. "As Rahulji has said, there isn���t just one India. There are, in fact, two Indias. We have to work towards making them one," he says.
The 59-year-old Congressman from Nathdwara is said to have impressed Mr Gandhi with his techno-savvy presentation of data, skill for political analysis and his style of speaking out his mind.
Mr Joshi brought in the science of micro-managing elections in Rajasthan Congress. In 2008, he prepared dossiers on each assembly constituency, detailing the caste, gender profiles. Based on these, the Congress crafted its social coalition strategies and devised ways of welding contradictory caste interests.
Talking of the dramatic win in Rajasthan, he says, "we didn't do so well in the assembly elections. We won only 96 seats. So, after the results, we worked on our weaknesses, caste combinations so that we had the best candidates. We also minimised the impact of rebellion by those who did not get a ticket."
And the results were there for all to see, Congress picked up 20 of the 25 seats in Rajasthan.
Congress insiders, however, are not too surprised by his entry into the exalted group. Having made it to the big league, he now waits for the portfolio to be allocated to him. Left to himself, he would prefer the rural development ministry or panchayati raj ministry.
He is not unfamiliar with either, though this will be his first foray outside Rajasthan, Mr Joshi held both portfolios in the state, during Mr Ashok Gehlot���s first stint as CM.
Though he says it is too early to start making plans about his 100-day proposals for rural development, Mr Joshi is clearly raring to go. He talks about ensuring basic amenities for the people of the country. ``In 60 years, we have come this far, but we still have a long way to go. There is a section of our people that is still deprived,������ he observes.
With a little bit of prodding, the Rajasthan politician gets cracking about rural development. It can only take place through decentralisation of power and participation of the people, he says, but that is not all, "there is a need for greater vigilance."
He refers to NREGA, the flagship rural development programme launched by the UPA government during its first tenure, and suggests need for better vigilance and greater people's participation. At the same time, he is guarded, as the work-allocation to ministers other than the top six is yet to be done.
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The senior Congress leader���s interest in rural development seems to be in keeping with the interests of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi. He is reportedly close to Rahul Gandhi and Mr Joshi takes his cue from the Congress general secretary. "As Rahulji has said, there isn���t just one India. There are, in fact, two Indias. We have to work towards making them one," he says.
The 59-year-old Congressman from Nathdwara is said to have impressed Mr Gandhi with his techno-savvy presentation of data, skill for political analysis and his style of speaking out his mind.
Mr Joshi brought in the science of micro-managing elections in Rajasthan Congress. In 2008, he prepared dossiers on each assembly constituency, detailing the caste, gender profiles. Based on these, the Congress crafted its social coalition strategies and devised ways of welding contradictory caste interests.
Talking of the dramatic win in Rajasthan, he says, "we didn't do so well in the assembly elections. We won only 96 seats. So, after the results, we worked on our weaknesses, caste combinations so that we had the best candidates. We also minimised the impact of rebellion by those who did not get a ticket."
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And the results were there for all to see, Congress picked up 20 of the 25 seats in Rajasthan.
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