Simple, Innovative and Effective

Muhammed-bin-Tughlak is a Tamil political satirical play written, directed and enacted by ‘Cho’ Ramaswamy in the early sixties. It ran for years to packed houses. This was translated into Telugu and Hindi too and finally made to the silver screen in a few languages. This play was prophetic in that, the cabinet consisted of one Prime Minister and all other MPs Deputy Prime Ministers.

Meghalaya is a small state in the North-East. It has a 60 member Assembly. The otherwise quiet and scenic Meghalaya is in the news recently for its path breaking innovation. It has a Chief Minister and three others with the rank, status and perks of Chief Minister! Unfortunately, the last three do not have the powers and functions of the CM. May be in future. At least the powers and responsibilities could be shared.

This novel but effective solution should be improved and replicated by other states and the centre too. This could be an ideal solution to many burning problems if taken to its logical solution.

If only Andhra Pradesh had 3 CMs, one from Coastal Andhra, one from Telangana and another from Rayala Seema I think the present crisis and loss of lives would have been avoided. There will be no family feuds in the first family of Tamil Nadu if the two sons, nephews, etc are all made CMs. One PM each from each religion and caste would have made our country truly secular and ensured social justice.

Imagine how efficient and convenient it could be. When a Heads of Government meet is held, we can have 4 PMs simultaneously holding separate discussions with China, US, Russia and Uk, thus speeding up treaties and decisions. Say for example if we have a couple of Presidents, there will be no need to get governments dismissed from abroad (where the sole President is visiting) nor get an important proclamation signed in the bathroom. Hopefully a handy President will be available. If not, we can increase their numbers to the optimum level.

People who eulogize our Constitution and its framers will scratch their heads and wonder why and and how this simple, effective, egalitarian and democratic provision eluded the framers’ collective wisdom. But nothing is lost. They have made provision for amendments.

….ponder