Why oil Reddy was ousted

The transfer of Jaipal Reddy from the petroleum ministry to science and technology in the reshuffle in spite of an exceptional performance, initiated by Sonia Gandhi and the Congress party is not at all surprising. The minister was doing an extremely good job despite the fluctuating prices of petroleum in the international market, and the sector was making progress despite difficult market conditions. It is not easy, in the present international climate, to hold the petroleum portfolio and no one can accuse Reddy of doing a shoddy job. In fact, he was in many ways an ideal petroleum minister, selfless and unassuming and bringing a wealth of experience to the job. Besides, unlike many of his scam-tainted colleagues, he is a man known for his scrupulous honesty as also his commitment to the nation. This may, in fact, have proved to be his undoing. The petroleum sector in India in recent years has been the battlefield for innumnerable corporates with all kinds of nefarious lobbies floating about trying to pull strings. It is among the achievements of Reddy that he stemmed, to some extent, this tide of infernal activity. It is to his credit that he was partially successful in curbing the attempt at a foreign takeover of this crucial industry on which depends India’s progress and future. He also put the breaks on foreign investment in crucial government-owned corporations that are the equivalent of blue chip companies that have been built up with painstaking labour over many years. Though these companies have performed extremely well, there have been constant attempts to dilute government ownership. Other kinds of interventions are taking place as well in the oil sector none of which are in the interests of India.

Corporate coteries appear to be even forcing decisions about the composition of the cabinet. It may have been expected that Manmohan Singh, or even Sonia Gandhi, would have defended an honest colleague against the machinations of corporates and others in their takeover bid. That this has not happened is a clear indication of the leanings of this government. It has apparently sold out to foreign interests as it seems to be clearly favouring them over domestic industry, as shown by its other decisions. There have been several Mir Jafars in Indian history and we now seem to be at another such juncture. Reddy’s ouster is also a sign of internal dissensions in the cabinet. There are not just rifts between political parties over India’s economic future but also within the cabinet, between the UPA partners and the Congress and within the Congress as well. Sadly, many ministers and other partymen are afraid to make known their deep reservations because they fear punitive action by the party high command. This is most unfortunate. Unless the rank and file assert themselves, the future of our country is in jeopardy.