Letters: Challenges for Chavan

The editorial “The better Chavan” (November 11) sets a good agenda and roadmap for the new Maharashtra chief minister to adopt. For this he will have to overcome two roadblocks. Since in the Congress-ruled states the chief ministers are appointed by the ruling family and not elected by the members of the legislative Assemblies, they have to have a strong grassroots following in the state to hold their sway (as Y S R Reddy or Hooda did). Otherwise, they become dependent on the party “high command” to be able to carry on. Prithviraj Chavan suffers from this core weakness.

Besides, his two predecessors abetted in providing teeth to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which now has a negative influence on the lives of Mumbaikars. How he balances his party’s electoral strategy with the need to rein in this outfit will test his political skills. In view of all this, as the editorial mentions, he should establish a think tank of competent and clean bureaucrats to help him in his arduous task.

Y G Chouksey, Pune