No one is surprised at the rise of Amit Shah who has been at PM Modi’s side since they were together in Gujarat Cabinet when Modi was CM. Modi is shrewd observer and in Amit Shah he saw a loyal lieutenant who will stand by his side in good time as well as in crisis, a double act in tradition of Chandragupta and Chanakya, Ram and Laxman who could not be separated.
Now PM has rewarded him, giving him one of the most powerful portfolios of Home Minister, the post Sardar Patel was entrusted with. But many consider it as poison chalet, as he would be expected to resolve thorny issues, like J & K, Shri Ram temple in Ayodhia and introduce Uniform Civil Code, Haj subsidy, few among many thorny issues facing newly elected NDA government.
No wonder Press is already calling him reincarnation of Sardar and if he could resolve even a few of the difficult issues, he would go down in history as the Second Iron Man of India. Shah is a shrewd negotiator, always cool and calm. He was entrusted with implementation of BJP’s policy of not giving party tickets to anyone over the age of 75 that included two popular veterans like L. K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, as well as Uma Bharti. Another important task he performed was the distribution of seats among NDA allies, especially among Shive Sena in Maharashtra and Alkali Dal in Punjab. He succeeded beyond any one’s expectation.
I thought Modi will give him post of “Minister without Portfolio” de facto Deputy Prime minister and trouble shooter helping other Ministers as and when necessary, especially in view of the loss of experienced Ministers Arun Jetly and Susmaji Swaraj, due to their poor health. Shruti Irani also deserves better portfolio than Minister of Women and Children. She is seen as future PM of India. Her giant killing act, defeating Rahul Gandhi did not come as surprise. Even Rahul knew and expected such a result, thus standing in a safe seat in Kerala, Congress bastion.
Lack of Muslim faces in BJP MPs is detrimental to BJP’s image but unless significant number of Muslims, as well as other minorities become party members, it would be difficult for BJP to make it a multi faith, multi-cultural party.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
