Cautious UPA ministers keep Sonia in the loop

Some ministers in the Manmohan Singh government have been reporting directly to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, apprising her not only of their administrative initiatives and decisions but also the day-to-day activities of their ministries.

Take the letters by Minister of State (Independent charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation GK Vasan to Sonia Gandhi, when she was the chairperson of the National Advisory Council.

One of these letters, dated March 2, 2006 said, "Respected Madam, on 29 January 2006, I took over as minister of state....During the first week of February 2006, I had detailed briefing from senior officers about the activities of the ministry. I intend to keep you informed every month about the performance highlights in the ministry and the initiatives taken by me. The highlights of the ministry's activities during the month of February 2006 are as follows....."

The three-page letter (D.O.NoA-60011/9/2006) even had details about the visits planned by the minister, who ended the letter with a pledge that he would keep Gandhi informed "about the sectoral meetings with the officers from power, petroleum, steel, coal and other sectors."

Vasan continued to keep 10, Janpath apprised of his activities, as was evident from another letter to Gandhi on May 30, 2006. "Respected Madam, I intend to apprise you about the performance of my ministry and the initiatives taken by me during the month of May 2006...."

Vasan was not the only one to report to 10, Janpath. In a letter dated June 9, 2005 (D.O. No. C/44/MPLADS-2004), his predecessor Oscar Fernandes informed her about the guidelines on the MP Local Area Development Funds, as revised and finalised by his ministry.

"I enclose a copy of the guidelines for your kind perusal. I am consulting Speaker, Lok Sabha and Chairman, Rajya Sabha...on the revised guidelines...This being an important initiative, I am bringing the same to your kind notice."

Having forwarded the revised guidelines on MPLADS to her, Fernandes wrote to Sonia Gandhi on December 23, 2005: "I once again solicit your considered views and suggestions to further improve the implementation of the scheme...."

These letters, which were apparently written without any formal instructions from Sonia Gandhi, clearly show who, according to the ministers, is the boss in the UPA government.