It is reasonably clear that Mr. Kamlapati Tripathi will not press his resignation as railway minister. Mrs. Gandhi has got it conveyed to him that her criticism of the functioning of the railways at her press conference last week was not directed at him and he is quoted as having said that he is a “devotee” of hers: so there can be no question of his parting company with her. But this cannot dispose of the issues raised by the Prime Minister’s observations and the minister’s response. Mrs. Gandhi’s claims notwithstanding, several of her ministers do no credit either to her and her government, either in terms of performance or reputation. It will be invidious to name names. In any case, these are well known as much to the Prime Minister as to anyone else. It is, therefore, rather surprising that she should have chosen only the railways for a critical reference. It is possible that she did not hold Mr. Tripathi personally responsible for the sorry state of affairs. Indeed, he may not be responsible. Things may be bad in spite of him. But what about the concept of ministerial responsibility? Under the country’s system of government, the minister has to carry the can. He must accept the blame just as he gathers the kudos. It would have been a different matter if the Prime Minister had slurred over the performance of the railways just as she slurred over that of many other ministries.
And as for Mr. Tripathi, before sending in his resignation he could have found out from the Prime Minister whether or not she was holding him personally responsible in some degree for the manner in which the railways are functioning. If he was persuaded that he was not being censured, there would have been no question of his quitting the cabinet. As he has handled the problem, it would appear that he submitted his resignation in full knowledge that Mrs. Gandhi would ask him to stay on. This may satisfy his sense of honour; it is not likely to convince the people either that the Prime Minister has not censured him or that it is proper for him to continue in office. He has rendered considerable services to Mrs. Gandhi and the Congress (I). But that is another matter which should not be mixed up either with his performance as railway minister or the Prime Minister’s assessment of it.