The ruling party's eagerness to retain status quo till the elections may indicate that these critical areas could have a great bearing on the forthcoming polls. The point seems reinforced by the report that ruling coalition high command might be thinking in terms of incorporating the provision of a district minister in the constitution through an amendment.

The whole issue has to be viewed in the light of the on-going political turmoil revolving around the question of making the next general elections free and fair. Obviously, the prime concern here is prevention of abuse of authority in any form by any party denying other political parties a level playing field.

We have to consider the fact that elections are only months away and also that the idea behind installing a neutral caretaker government is to eliminate the possibility of any party enjoying undue benefits. Against this backdrop, it is far from desirable that a government minister, that too without any constitutional sanction, would be in charge of disbursing development funds and deciding on positioning of government officials just when everybody would expect a much curtailed role of the government. It does not certainly tally with the plan of having a neutral administration before and during the elections.

The nation is looking forward to an election not smeared by party influence or any kind of interference by the administration. We believe the HC ruling is a step forward in that direction. Now it is for the government to realise that having district ministers, with such sensitive jobs assigned to them, won't serve the cause of fair elections.