Messaging muddle? Communication holds the key

When the United Progressive Alliance II formed a Cabinet committee of seven ministers on media two years ago, I thought that it realised the seriousness of communication tasks at hand. Six months later, 11 ministers were designated as spokespersons of the government to strengthen media outreach; and thereafter, again, a couple of senior Cabinet ministers were assigned to go to the state capitals to highlight the achievements of the UPA II. During the same period, the Congress party changed its spokespersons several times. Manish Tewari is perhaps the only spokesperson in nine years who made some mark. What has been the outcome of all these initiatives in the party and the government?