Delhi: The list of names for the Modi government has nearly been finalised. The names of 55 probable candidates for ministerial berths have been shortlisted, of which nearly 25 to 30 could be sworn in on Monday.
Leaders over 75 years of age may not be given any ministerial responsibilities. The top brass of the BJP, which includes Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, Mr Rajnath Singh and Mr Nitin Gadkari, has decided to send a strong signal against dynasty politics. Therefore, children or relatives of BJP leaders are unlikely to find a berth in the Modi government.
In line with Mr Modi’s concept of “minimum government maximum governance”, a super-infrastructure ministry is being created, in which surface transport, civil aviation, metro, railways, roads, among others, will be included. A leader with experience and expertise in the sector could head the super-infrastructure ministry.
Sources revealed that Ananth Kumar has been offered parliamentary affairs and an additional ministry. Key NDA allies, which include the Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and the TD, would get a Cabinet berth each. If Mr Rajnath Singh gets home, Ms Sushma Swaraj could head defence or external affairs (MEA). Mr Arun Jaitley continues to be in the reckoning for either finance or MEA. There is, however, no clarity on the Muslim face of the Modi government as yet. The final list of names will be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday night.
Sources said that the list of 55 candidates was shortlisted on Friday night. A debate has been raging in the party and among top leaders on whether to include old-timers. It is being felt that leaders over 75 should not be considered for ministerial berths or key positions.
If this is carried through, then leaders like Mr L.K. Advani, 87, and Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, 80, may not a find place. The post of Lok Sabha Speaker could also elude Mr Advani as the name of Mr Karia Munda is already doing the rounds.
Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi, who had been targeting the Congress’ dynasty politics, intends to send a strong signal over the issue. Mr Rajnath Singh, Mr Nitin Gadkari and the RSS top brass are also backing Mr Modi on this.
It seems that the children or relatives of top BJP leaders may not find a place in the Modi government and this could include young MPs like Anurag Thakur, son of senior leader and former Himachal Pradesh chief minister P.K. Dhumal, Abhishek Singh, son of Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, and Rajvir Singh, son of senior BJP leader Kalyan Singh.
Among the allies, the TD, the Akali Dal and the Shiv Sena are likely to be given one Cabinet berth each. With the BJP having a majority on its own, none of the top brass is in the mood to be arm twisted by the allies. All the allies, including Mr Ram Vilas Paswan of the LJP and the Akali Dal, are engaged in hectic lobbying for key portfolios.
