BJP Men Aim for Cabinet Slot

Encouraged by the good performance in various opinion polls, which have predicted a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) win, senior BJP leaders from the state have begun work to ensure a seat in the ‘Modi Cabinet’, that they believe will be formed this time.

Encouraged by the good performance in various opinion polls, which have predicted a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) win, senior BJP leaders from the state have begun work to ensure a seat in the ‘Modi Cabinet’, that they believe will be formed this time.

A few senior party office bearers and MPs have already sent their verbal request to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, seeking their name in the ministry list. Not wanting to leave anything to chance, some have also called on their contacts in Gujarat to directly reach BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

The most hopeful of the lot are those who have been elected to the Lok Sabha at least twice. Some leaders, who do not possess the required experience are counting on the patronage of the RSS to make it through.

“The Modi wave is sweeping the country and all the opinion polls strongly suggest that we are going to form the next government and hence it is natural that leaders will start putting in an effort to seek a Cabinet berth. The space in the Cabinet is limited, and the aspirants are many. So anyone, who thinks that he deserves to be made a minister is trying his best”, a BJP party MP, who himself is trying for a Cabinet berth, said.

As per the Constitution, the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers cannot exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of the House of the People, which means that there cannot be more than 81 ministers in the Centre.

A senior BJP leader, who has a good rapport with journalists, is seeking their help to get in touch with members of ‘Team Narendra Modi’, which functions from Ahmedabad.

 “He is in constant touch with a journalist with an English daily, who was earlier posted in Gujarat and knows members of the Modi team, including former additional Chief secretary K Kailashnathan, who is considered to be one of the closest confidante of Modi. 

“He is counting on the journalist to make sure that Modi keeps his name in mind, while deciding the cabinet,” a close associate of the leader said.

According to state party leaders, the fact that Modi’s assent is the biggest hurdle to cross to secure a Cabinet berth was evident during ticket distributions, when some of the names approved by the party for tickets, were later changed by Modi.

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The New Indian Express
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