The portfolio allocations after the swearing-in of the Modi 2.0 ministry saw two top portfolios going into strong hands – home to Amit Shah and defence to Rajnath Singh who acquitted himself well as home minister in the previous government. Former foreign secretary S Jaishankar knows his subject well and hence fits in well as external affairs minister.
Notably, Prime Minister Modi, riding the crest of a popular support, has chosen to retain most of the ministers from his first term. He is a pro-establishment figure and not given to acts of disruptions. Both styles have their strengths. Continuity meant treading a familiar path, wherein pitfalls are more easily identified, clarity is a given, and a safe course ensured. On the debit side, chances of a minister developing vested interests in the course of a long innings are there too.
Arun Jaitley was a tower of strength to the Prime Minister in his first term. He did a job, stood by the side of the PM through thick and thin, and advised the government in matters of legal frameworks when faced with tricky situations. Health is a serious problem to him, and it must first be attended to. His absence will be felt not only by the PM but by others too.
Sushma Swaraj, also faced with some health problems, will be missed by all. She managed the external affairs ministry with considerable PR skills though the PM was by her side to take matters forward. As for Maneka Gandhi, who missed the bus this time, something else might be in store.
Amit Shah is bound to rock the ministry in positive ways. Rajnath Singh as PM’s second-in-command would be a reassuring presence. Nitin Gadkari, despite some disquiet, is back, but General VK Singh seems to have been demoted and will serve under Gadkari. Uma Bharti has volunteered to step aside. Most senior ministers, as also juniors, found themselves in the reckoning. The team spirit they displayed during Modi’s first innings would be to the PM’s great advantage again.
The new Modi team has space for only one berth for each BJP ally. This might be a conscious attempt to reduce importance of regional leaders and their turfs. Many of them have a tag of corruption. Bihar’s Nitish Kumar has registered dissent and kept his JDU out of the new ministry. It is worth watching how the Shiv Sena starts roaring again. More inductions are likely as team Modi moves forward.