New Delhi: BJP woman leader Nirmala Sitharaman, who was minister of state (independent charge) for commerce, was rewarded by her elevation to the Cabinet and to the crucial post of defence minister, making her the second Indian woman defence minister ever after Indira Gandhi who had held the defence portfolio for some time when she was prime minister.
Ms Sitharaman will also be the second woman minister in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and will also be India’s first full-time woman defence minister.
Ms Sitharaman’s elevation is also being seen as a powerful push by the Modi Government for women’s empowerment. Ms Sitharaman, 58, is an RS member and is now one of the most prominent southern faces of the party.
“I am just overwhelmed and humbled. I can serve the country with something which is constantly on the top of my mind,” she said adding that she was “very grateful” to the Prime Minister for the confidence he has in her.
Nirmala says her new post is a big responsibility
“I am just overwhelmed and humbled. I can serve the country with something which is constantly on the top of my mind,” she further said. Stressing that it was a big responsibility, Sitharaman said she was “very grateful” for the confidence the Prime Minister has on her. Asked whether dealing with Pakistan in view of the terrorism issue will be her priority, she said “I have not even taken charge. I don’t think it is appropriate to comment on it now...Give me some time.” She added, “Every criticism is a message and we have to learn from it. I am not averse to criticism and also not frightened of it (criticism), but certainly take messages from them ... Criticism per se do not reflect on performance, it only adds to your performance if you are ready to take on-board the corrections that may be workable.”
To a query whether her elevation showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards women empowernment, she said the Prime Minister has always been in favour. “I know his working style since the time he was in Gujarat... He always believe in giving women their due share. His belief is that women can also perform,” she said.
After the Modi Government assumed office in May, 2014, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley was given portfolios of both finance and defence but the defence portfolio was later given to BJP leader Manohar Parrikar in order to lighten the burden on Mr Jaitley.
Following the Assembly elections in a few states earlier this year, then defence minister Mr Parrikar became Goa Chief Minister following which the additional charge of Defence fell on the shoulders of Mr Jaitley. Now, Ms. Sitharaman has been given the defence portfolio.
Ms Sitharaman’s tasks as Defence Minister will be many, coming so soon after the end of the military stand-off with China at Doklam. She will have to ensure that the Indian armed forces are fully prepared in terms of military equipment and weaponry at all times.
