Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay Kumar
New Delhi: Having promised `Acche Din` (good days) to the people of the country, Narendra Modi knows he can`t falter on his promise of good governance. And the first step to ensure that, would be getting the right team in place.
Hectic parleys are on in Delhi as top leaders lobby for key portfolios. The RSS is also keeping a close watch on the developments but has made it clear that Modi will get a free hand in choosing his team.
Among the frontrunners for key positions in the Modi government is party president Rajnath Singh. He is said to be keen for the home ministry. While Singh will be rewarded for the solid backing he gave Modi in his march to Delhi, it remains to be seen whether he will get to occupy the North Block. Defence ministry is also talked about as an alternative.
Arun Jaitley, another early Modi supporter, is the clear choice as the next finance minister. A former commerce minister, Jaitley has the experience and capability to handle the key ministry at this critical juncture when economic revival tops BJP`s agenda. The only thing going against him is his electoral defeat in Amritsar.
Though not in the so-called `Modi camp`, Sushma Swaraj is among the other key leaders who would be given important responsibilities. Ministry of External Affairs is talked about for her amid reports that she is keen on the home ministry.
Modi`s closest aide Amit Shah, who delivered a stunner in UP, may become the next railways minister, given the new government`s grand plan to start bullet trains at the earliest. Modi would need someone who can deliver on the challenge and that too at a fast pace.
Party veteran Murli Manohar Joshi is also set to get an important portfolio.
However, all eyes would be on how LK Advani is adjusted with honour in the Modi era. Reports claimed he has expressed his willingness to be the Lok Sabha Speaker – AB Vajpayee continues to be the chairman. Modi holds the view that he should lead the alliance to ensure glitch-free relationship with partners.
Among the others who are slated to get important positions in the new government are Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, Poonam Mahajan, Kirit Somaiya, Kalraj Mishra, Ananth Kumar, BS Yeddyurappa, Sumitra Mahajan, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and VK Singh and Satyapal Singh.
