The worst cyclone in the state's history might never have killed 10,000 people and wreaked havoc in ten districts to judge by what is going on in the ruling party. At subversive dinners where they are undoubtedly fed well, ministers and MLAs have not been planning what they can do to help put Orissa back on its feet, they have been plotting the downfall of their chief minister and using every stick they can find to beat him with. Whatever the truth about the state government's relief and rehabilitation efforts, that is the least of the rebels' interests. Their single most important objective is to topple Giridhar Gamang.

The callous political games which have been going on for months should invite strong rebuke from the party high command and be brought to an end. It is essential for the administration to concentrate on relief work without thedistractions of petty self-serving politics.

As for the chief minister himself, he has not shown the kind of firm, assured leadership that the situation demands and now there are worrying signs that multiple pressures from the ground situation, Congress rebels, differences with the Centre are getting to him. In the midst of all this comes the peremptory suspension of the special relief commissioner for delays and irregularities in the procurement of relief material.

Whether fully justified or not, it illustrates the kind of challenges facing the chief minister and how much he needs to demonstrate that no nonsense will be tolerated from the administration. But a chief minister who looks shaky and acts defensively, who cannot discipline his own party will not command respect. The Congress high command must make up its mind soon. Its indecisiveness is making a bad situation worse. There is a great deal to be done in Orissa's cyclone belt on the health front, to re-establish livelihoods in agriculture andfisheries, to rebuild the infrastructure, plant trees, dig wells and repair social communities. Without political stability very little of the essential job will be done.

The Congress president must ask herself what it does for the morale of cyclone survivors to know political intrigue takes first place in Bh-ubaneswar? What message does it send the bureaucracy? Sonia Gandhi's choices are clear; either stick with Gamang or find a replacement. There are risks both ways but the high command cannot sit passively by while the Orissa Congress commits harakiri in slow motion. Unless the political games stop, the state leadership will not be able to get a grip on the situation.

The state government has done poorly on the relief and rehabilitation front so far. In deciding whether to maintain the status quo or make changes at the top, the objective should be to put in charge whoever is most able to get the job done. In this desperate hour Orissa needs strong and competent leadership. If the Congress does notunite it will fail to provide it.