‘All is well in NDA’ while ministers warm Bhavans

Ministers in Modi Cabinet make bases in ministries

By Manish Anand

New Delhi, June 12: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies appear to have granted an undefined honeymoon period to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandra Babu Naidu courted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah yesterday. He will today take oath as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare yesterday. He made a quick round of the floors of the Krishi Bhavan.

“I want to see myself where all officials and staff of the Ministry work from,” Chauhan told reporters. From peon to secretary, Chouhan made bases will all in his ministry. He had spring in his feet.

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The Janata Dal (United) MP and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh is widely seen as a potential trouble maker for the BJP. He took charge of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries.

“No work is small and big. They are all important. It depends on one how he looks at the task on hand. These ministries have a lot of work to do,” said Singh.

The JD (U) leader dismissed concerns of a few reporters who sought to empathize with him for his lesser profile portfolios. His colleagues from far lesser strength political outfits – HD Kumaraswamy, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Chirag Paswan – gained spotlight for high-profile ministries.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday freed his camp followers in the BJP from boasting ‘Modi ka Pariwar’ on their digital properties. But members of council of ministers exuded high adrenaline while taking charges of ministries.

A newbie in the council of ministers was overflowing with joys late Tuesday evening. “Gadkari ji (Union Minister Nitin Gadkari) embraced me, and sat separately for an extended meeting. He said he would approve all demands for building roads in my state,” said a Minister of State. He made his maiden entry into the government.

Cabinet ministers showered affections to their juniors. They made Ministers of states comfortable.

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Several ministers had their family members in attendance as they took charges of their offices. They were protective of their children from getting the media attention.

One Cabinet minister ensured that the video of his daughter expressing joy at her father once more finding place in council of ministers was deleted.

“What will be the agenda! For 10 years, Modi ji is working for the development of the country. Our agenda will be to carry forward his works,” Singh told reporters.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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