New Delhi: Ahead of the swearing-in of the new government on Thursday evening, the political grapevine was abuzz, with speculation mounting by the minute about PM Modi’s ministerial choices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah met for nearly three hours in the evening; on the menu was the cherry on the cake – the prickly finance ministry portfolio; the spotlight turned on the key portfolio with outgoing FM Arun Jaitley excusing himself on health grounds. Jaitley was not just the finance minister; he was also the leader of the House in Rajya Sabha apart from being the chief trouble shooter of the government. Clearly taken aback by Jaitley’s decision, PM Modi drove over to the former’s residence to request him to reconsider his decision and remain in the government.
The FM’s immediate task will be to present the full budget on July 15 and address the slowdown of the economy. With Jaitley opting out, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal (54), who is also the BJP treasurer, was being seen in some quarters as a frontrunner for the post; he had earlier twice filled in during Jaitley’s absence and even presented an interim budget before the elections. The other name doing the rounds was that of Nirmala Sitharaman. A pleasant surprise, some said, could be Amit Shah himself. As the suspense persisted about who all will be inducted, BJP sources said the line-up will not change, though the portfolios would. Modi is also expected to accommodate all senior outgoing ministers. He is expected to call the ministers-designate on Thursday morning for tea at this residence. Among those reported to be sulking was Home Minister Rajnath Singh (67) in view of the speculation that PM Modi may allot his portfolio to BJP President Amit Shah – a position that would be commensurate with the latter’s role as the ‘Number two’ in the BJP dispensation. However, there is a view that Shah should remain party president in view of the elections that are looming on the horizon. So, either he holds dual posts, which will go against political convention, or move to Home and pave the way for someone like JP Nadda.
Outgoing Union Health Minister Nadda (58) from Himachal Pradesh, who is also a national general secretary of the BJP and known as a strategist, could be the next BJP President, if Shah moves to the government. Nadda was the front-runner for the post even in 2014 when Modi brought in his trusted lieutenant Shah to head the party. Sources said Rajnath may be even offered the coveted post of the Lok Sabha Speaker, though he may not accept it as he thinks it has no trappings of power. Modi may tempt him with the defence portfolio, if he insists on remaining among the top five. Sushma Swaraj (67), who did not contest the Lok Sabha elections due to health reasons, is tipped to be re-inducted as the External Affairs Minister. She will be elected to the Rajya Sabha from nearly half a dozen seats which have fallen vacant due to election of its members to the Lok Sabha.
She has, however, not revealed her mind on whether she wants to continue in the government; but if she declines, her successor may be Nirmala Sitharaman, who holds the defence portfolio. Three-time Madhya Pra-desh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is tipped to be a key member of the new Cabinet and is likely take over the charge of Agriculture Ministry. The farmer-turned-politician is credited with successive victories of the BJP in assembly elections before the party lost by a small margin last year in a close fight with the Cong-ress. Given the success of various farm schemes in MP, he could replicate them at the Centre. Others who are confident of getting into the new Cabinet are Nitin Gadkari (62), Prakash Javadekar (68), Suresh Prabhu (65), Ram Vilas Paswan (72) Dharmendra Pradhan (49), Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (61), Santosh Gangwar (70), Narendra Singh Tomar (61), Nirmala Sitharaman (59) and Smriti Irani (43).
Sources said that ministry of communications telecom and the ministry of electronics and information technology may be merged. It would be handed by an experienced hand, most likely, Ravi Shankar Prasad who in the previous government held the portfolio of minister of law and IT. Modi will have to accommodate two ministers each from Shiv Sena that won 18 Lok Sabha seats and Janata Dal (U) of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar that bagged 17 seats — maybe one cabinet post and one of minister of state. Arvind Sawant, who defeated Milind Deora, is tipped to be one of the Sena nominees.
