Is it merely a coincidence that after Madhya Pradesh's former Chief Minister and current Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar encountered a broken seat during his flight? Sunil Jakhar shared images of broken seats on the Chandigarh-Delhi Indigo flight on Sunday. However, this issue is not new; he captured these photos during his journey in January. Jakhar’s statement comes a day after Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lodged a complaint against Air India. Just two days ago, during a Bhopal to Delhi flight, Chouhan found a broken seat. Following this, the Union Minister mentioned the incident sarcastically, expressing his disappointment that despite the Tata Group's acquisition of Air India, no improvements have occurred. When a Union Minister tweets such grievances, it suggests either a lack of attention within the government or an intentional target.
Why Shivraj Chouhan's Anger is Questioned
Generally known for his composed and responsible demeanor, Shivraj Chouhan's sudden targeting of Air India and the Tata Group came as a surprise to those familiar with him. However, his issue is not with Tata Group directly but rather with the central government and aviation ministry. If a department isn't functioning well, the responsibility does not lie solely with the Tata Group but with the ministry overseeing it. Through his words, it seems like Shivraj is intentionally not mentioning the aviation ministry by name, though his criticism seems aimed at them.
In a parliamentary democracy, the principle of collective responsibility often implies that the failure of one is a failure of all. Hence, if one member fails, it’s considered a failure of the entire cabinet. Although not strictly followed now, its moral implications remain. A minister's negligence could impact the whole government.
Should Shivraj Chouhan have first sought to address his concerns with the relevant department? Isn’t it befitting for a minister to communicate directly with the aviation ministry or minister about aviation issues? Social media should be the last resort after exhausting all formal channels. Publicly listing the errors of a government or major corporations like MNCs often escalates tensions and breed internal conflict.
Result of Internal Political Upheaval?
When a prominent minister raises such issues, it often suggests pressure. Historically, ministers enduring similar stress face repercussions. Recall the scenario in Uttar Pradesh: initially under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Siddharth Narayan Singh, known for his influential lineage, once tweeted about leaks in his official residence, targeting bureaucracy— a move akin to Shivraj Singh Chouhan's complaint and, consequently, faced consequences.
This likely won't happen with Shivraj. He is a popular people's leader, still influential in elections, supported by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, with continued significant recognition from the Modi Government. The political corridors speculating suggest that Shivraj might be sending a message through his actions, whether to Tata Group or Telugu Desam Party.
Crafting a Distinct Image
Two days before PM Narendra Modi’s Bihar visit, on February 24, Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited waterlogged fields among makhana farmers. His video among the submerged farmers circulated on social media. Known as ‘Mama’ during his governance in Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj aims to establish a distinctive identity as Agriculture Minister. Though no longer in power, characteristically, he portrays aspirations of a ‘super CM’, occasionally lamenting his ousted state. In a past discourse, balancing his statement, he highlighted the difference between being in power and not, praising PM Modi while addressing the contrasts in political status.
Recently, addressing the Ladli sisters in Bherunda, Sehore, Shivraj assured them that money would be credited by the 10th and reemphasized the enduring trust in brother-sister relationships. An interesting scenario unfolded when Mohan Yadav’s cabinet issued a directive on loudspeaker volume control, citing Supreme Court guidelines. In Bherunda, band operators presented a memorandum against this order to Shivraj, securing assurances that festivities could proceed unhindered under his watch.
