Bhopal: Despite inclusion of Virendra Kumar Khatik in Union Cabinet on Sunday, the state’s representation in Central government has gone down as Phaggan Singh Kulaste has been asked to quit. Anil Dave’s death has already dwindled state’s representation in the union ministry. Besides, the state cannot expect much from Virendra Kumar.
Virendra Kumar has been appointed MoS in Ministry of Woman and Child Development. As Union MoS for health, Kulaste was actively involved in development of AIIMS at Bhopal. Dave held important portfolios like forests and environment. The two departments have an important role in clearing developmental projects. Virendra Kumar is not a big name in state politics and his induction is unlikely to give BJP any major benefit in assembly polls.
According to political analyst Girijashankar, Virendra Kumar has been taken on board as part of Dalit agenda. He says that the BJP is wooing Dalit leaders all over the country. It wants to secure a major chunk of Dalit votes in 2019 general elections. Top BJP leaders having meals at Dalit homes are also a part of the agenda. Dalit conventions being organised by the party too are a part of the same mission.
Kumar’s inclusion has come as a jolt to several party heavyweights in the state. Despite being a six-time MP, his political stature cannot match that of Prahlad Patel, Prabhat Jha and Rakesh Singh. However, none of them managed to land a ministerial berth. Narendra Tomar lost crucial department of urban development in this reshuffle. Most of infrastructural projects in the state were to be executed through this department. Tomar’s continuation in the department would have helped the state in implementation of Smart City, Metro and Amrit schemes. Although Tomar has been given mining department along with Panchayats and Rural Development; but Urban Development was more important for the state.
