Yet, hopes of a better governance for clean India, but the profile of Narendra Modi’s cabinet is not appeared to be impressive compare to Manmohan Singh led UPA II - rather challenging. Over the decade, the issue of education and spotless background of the ministers in any government has become preference of the electorates, which Modi could not reach to the aspiration of average Indians.

Looking back to UPA II, data of detail educational background of Manmohan Singh’s cabinet is not readily available for comparison. Better to say, while setting agenda for election in 2009,  media did not attach much importance to education. Managing money and muscle power to influence election was the main concern for the country in 2009 general election.

However, to compare the growth of money and muscle in 2014 Loksabha election shows a steady growth in figure. Despite being captured absolute majority in the election Modi cannot reduce the number of ministers with criminal record and high accumulation of average wealth.

According to self-sworn affidavit of the MPs, in 46 members’ cabinet of Narendra Modi, 13 counts, approx 30% are having criminal cases against themselves. Of them 8 that counts 18% are having serious criminal records like attempt to murder, communal disharmony, kidnapping, electoral violations etc.

The list starts with Uma Bharti from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. She has declared a case related to attempt to murder (IPC Section-307), case related to causing communal disharmony like enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc (IPC Section-153A), a case related to Illegal payments in connection with an election (IPC Section-171H). 

Upendra Kushwaha of Rashtriya Lok Samta Party from Karakat constituency, Bihar and Ram Vilas Paswan of LJP from Hajipur constituency, Bihar have each declared a case related to Bribery (IPC Section–171E). Gopinathrao Pandurang Munde from Beed Constituency, Maharashtra of BJP has declared a case related to Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person (IPC Section-365).

In last cabinet of Manmohan Singh, out of 79 ministers in the first cabinet in 2009 only 9 had declared their pending criminal cases. The list starts with Subodh Kant Sahay (INC) accused under IPC Sections - 143, 188, 353 and  283 followed by Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik (INC) IPC Sections 147, 149, 341, Ajay Makan (INC) IPC Sections - 147, 149, 341, Harish Rawat (INC), IPC Sections - 499, 500, 120B Arun Yadav (INC) IPC Sections - 147, 149, 341 Pratik Prakash Babu Patil (INC) IPC Sections - 341, 332, Pradeep Kumar Jain (INC) IPC Sections - 332, 447, 147, 283, 341 and 7 cases under CrPC, Sisir Kumar Adhikari (AITC) IPC Sections- 147, 148, 149, 323, 379, 427, and Selvan Gandhi (DMK) IPC Sections - 279, 337, 338.

In analyzing asset details of Modi’s cabinet, National Election Watch (NEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) stated Modi’s cabinet is poorer than Manmohan Singh.  40 (91%) of 46 members of Modi’s cabinet are crorepatis with average asset of INR 13.47 Cr. The richest Minister in Modi’s cabinet Arun Jaitely with asset value of INR 113 Cr and poorest minister appeared to be Mr Ram Vilas Paswan with asset value of Rs 96 Lac.

In contrary, 49 (62%) ministers of 79 members’ cabinet of UPA II were Crorepati having average asset value of INR 7.30 Cr. The then civil aviation minister Praful Patel of NCP from Bandara, Maharashtra was the richest with the asset value of INR 83.7 Cr and poorest was Mamata Benarjee with an asset value of only INR 4.73 Lac.     

In terms of Cabinet literacy, Modi’s cabinet has 3 doctorates against 7 doctorates in Manmohan’s team. 8 (18%) ministers in current cabinet have an education qualification of 12th pass and below while 35 (80%) Ministers have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. The cabinet is also accommodated one minister of 5th standard pass and 5 ministers 10th standard pass. 

Altogether 9 (20%) Ministers are in the age group of 31-50 years while 33 (75%) Ministers are belonging to age group of 51-70 years and 2 ministers above 70 years. There are 7 (15%) women ministers in Modi’s team.

The diversity and challenging character of legislatures are the beauty of Indian democracy.

But, it’s a dawn of new era to bring to an end to Nehru’s legacy.

Biswendu Bhattacharjee

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