All of us know about the fantabulously impressive performance of the BJP in these Lok Sabha elections. Narendra Modi, the star of the show, led the BJP-led NDA alliance to win 336 seats in the Lok Sabha. On Wednesday, the 21st May, months of hard work finally paid off as Modi was elected the leader of the BJP – parliamentary party by the fellow members of the party in the central hall of the Parliament. But, the tough part is not over yet. For any new government, choosing cabinet ministers and allocating ministries is a very important task, and in this case, there are 282 MP’s to take care of when Modi forms his government.
A tough challenge awaits Modi, especially the selection of his council of ministers. Primary of all challenges is the allocation of senior party leaders such as, L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Murli Manohar Joshi.
A tough challenge awaits Modi, especially the selection of his council of ministers. Primary of all challenges is the allocation of senior party leaders such as, L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Murli Manohar Joshi.
Various sources suggest that Rajnath Singh, the current party president, may be allocated the position of Home Minister. It is at this time that we must remember Modi’s motto of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”. Thus there is a chance that the home ministry or matters related to internal security are directly linked under the PMO. If this happens, the position of Home Minister may not remain as valuable as otherwise. Though Singh has earlier expressed no problem in continuing to be the party president, one cannot deny that he is the frontrunner for the post of home minister. Apart from home, defense could also be an option.
Before his defeat in Amritsar, Arun Jaitley was the frontrunner for Finance. He still remains the favourite for the portfolio. He was initially seen to be reluctant, but if Rajnath Singh’s statement of making full use of his expertise holds true, Jaitley may be the next finance minister. Other contenders for finance are Arun Shourie, who was Telecom minister under Vajpayee and Subramanian Swami.
Sushma Swaraj is another key leader who is expected to get an important portfolio. She has been seen not supporting the Modi leadership very enthusiastically, thus it depends on her rapport with Narendra Modi. She is reportedly keen on the Foreign Ministry but chances are that she could be handed HRD Ministry. Some reports also suggest that she is keen on home.
Before his defeat in Amritsar, Arun Jaitley was the frontrunner for Finance. He still remains the favourite for the portfolio. He was initially seen to be reluctant, but if Rajnath Singh’s statement of making full use of his expertise holds true, Jaitley may be the next finance minister. Other contenders for finance are Arun Shourie, who was Telecom minister under Vajpayee and Subramanian Swami.
Sushma Swaraj is another key leader who is expected to get an important portfolio. She has been seen not supporting the Modi leadership very enthusiastically, thus it depends on her rapport with Narendra Modi. She is reportedly keen on the Foreign Ministry but chances are that she could be handed HRD Ministry. Some reports also suggest that she is keen on home.
Ravi Shankar Prasad is said to be keen on getting Ministry of External Affairs but reports also say that he may be allotted the Law ministry. Other sources say that Murli Manohar Joshi is likely to get Defense. Nitin Gadkari is likely to get a portfolio regarding Infrastructure or Economy. L.K. Advani, the senior most leader of the BJP has said to have his eyes on the post of Speaker. If not then he will remain as a guiding light for the party. However there is no clarity as to who will be given these portfolios.
There is also very less idea as to which portfolio other leaders who headed ministries in the Vajpayee cabinet such as Darjeeling MP - SS Ahluwalia, Patna Sahib MP - Shatrughan Sinha, Gurdaspur MP – Vinod Khanna, Saran MP - Rajiv Pratap Rudy will get. One is also keen to see the placements of leaders like Uma Bharti, Gopinath Munde and Maneka Gandhi. Harsh Vardhan, Chandani Chowk MP, is likely to get the Health Ministry.
The roles of chief ministers such as Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chauhan will also be followed as they have been instrumental in winning votes for the party in their states. Modi’s aide, Amit Shah’s role is still not clearly known but again it is presumed that he will be allotted an important responsibility.
Apart from these leaders, who have been in the party for a while, newcomers like former army chief V.K. Singh and former commissioner of police for Mumbai, Satyapal Singh will also be on Modi’s watch for a key role. Smriti Irani, who gave a tough fight to Rahul Gandhi from Amethi may also have a chance to get a good portfolio.
We must keep in mind that Modi also has to choose leaders from their allies in order to keep them happy and well represented. Some which stand out are Anandrao Adsul, A Ramadoss, Ram Vilas and Paswan.
Alongside, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has maintained its distance from the victory celebrations, continuous meetings are said to being held between leaders of the BJP and RSS. Though senior BJP leader, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the RSS will not have any role in cabinet formation, it has not denied its role as an advisory body.
As each day goes by and as we get closer to government formation, unexpected meetings have also occurred. YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy and another party in Assam have assured their full support to Modi. Reddy also allegedly met Modi with regards to the Cabinet formation.
As the well known saying goes, “A leader is nothing without its team and a team is nothing without its leader”, hopefully the cabinet formed will work at its best capability. Hopefully Narendra Modi will walk the talk along with his new government.
-Pratha
There is also very less idea as to which portfolio other leaders who headed ministries in the Vajpayee cabinet such as Darjeeling MP - SS Ahluwalia, Patna Sahib MP - Shatrughan Sinha, Gurdaspur MP – Vinod Khanna, Saran MP - Rajiv Pratap Rudy will get. One is also keen to see the placements of leaders like Uma Bharti, Gopinath Munde and Maneka Gandhi. Harsh Vardhan, Chandani Chowk MP, is likely to get the Health Ministry.
The roles of chief ministers such as Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chauhan will also be followed as they have been instrumental in winning votes for the party in their states. Modi’s aide, Amit Shah’s role is still not clearly known but again it is presumed that he will be allotted an important responsibility.
Apart from these leaders, who have been in the party for a while, newcomers like former army chief V.K. Singh and former commissioner of police for Mumbai, Satyapal Singh will also be on Modi’s watch for a key role. Smriti Irani, who gave a tough fight to Rahul Gandhi from Amethi may also have a chance to get a good portfolio.
We must keep in mind that Modi also has to choose leaders from their allies in order to keep them happy and well represented. Some which stand out are Anandrao Adsul, A Ramadoss, Ram Vilas and Paswan.
Alongside, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has maintained its distance from the victory celebrations, continuous meetings are said to being held between leaders of the BJP and RSS. Though senior BJP leader, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the RSS will not have any role in cabinet formation, it has not denied its role as an advisory body.
As each day goes by and as we get closer to government formation, unexpected meetings have also occurred. YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy and another party in Assam have assured their full support to Modi. Reddy also allegedly met Modi with regards to the Cabinet formation.
As the well known saying goes, “A leader is nothing without its team and a team is nothing without its leader”, hopefully the cabinet formed will work at its best capability. Hopefully Narendra Modi will walk the talk along with his new government.
-Pratha