Congress' indecisiveness may cost them dearly

When the Congress-led UPA government decided to approve the Delhi Mumbai industrial corridor (DMIC) a few years ago, it should have added another high-speed corridor for the state CM, Prithviraj Chavan, to enable him to reach the national capital to meet the party's high command.

Chavan is seen making trips to Delhi every third or fourth day of the week. Interestingly, these visits are not for any official meetings with the union government, but for meetings with the party bosses. For the last few months, Congress has kept the CM on tenterhooks, knowing well that the state is going to face assembly elections in October.

Such an uncertainty can only happen in the Congress camp, and the CM, who should be focussing on public issues, is more concerned about saving his chair. There are many state-level issues for the CM to deal with, such as the drought. Several parts of the state have not received rains, thus affecting farming activities.

Delaying announcements
Chavan is expected to announce major decisions and programmes with only half a month left for the election code of conduct to come into force. On Wednesday, he cancelled his appointment with a trade delegation of France, led by a senior diplomat, and rushed to Delhi to meet his party bosses. Such alacrity cannot be considered as prudent.

Running out of time
It seems that the Congress has lost its capacity to take immediate decisions, mainly due to the dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls. It would have been timely had the party decided on Chavan soon after the LS elections.

The new incumbent would have got at least three months to perform. But, the party appears to be unable to come out clean on this issue. Such an approach may them cost dearly, if it is serious on maintaining their grip over state politics.