India’s new cabinet: campaign strategist, lawyer and pilot tipped for top posts

Analyst says India's next prime minister Narendra Modi is expected to keep his cabinet small and retain key ministries himself – like he did in Gujarat as chief minister.

India’s prime minister-elect Narendra Modi, second from left, speaks with BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, as party president Rajnath Singh and LK Advani, right, look on at a function in New Delhi. All three are likely candidates for spots in Mr Modi’s cabinet. Harish Tyagi / EPA / May 17, 2014Show less

NEW DELHI // Delhi’s political circles were buzzing on Saturday over who would make up prime minister-elect Narendra Modi’s cabinet.

There were no announcements after Mr Modi met Bharatiya Janata Party politicians at party headquarters in Delhi. He is expected to return on Wednesday for another round of deliberations. The date for a swearing in ceremony will be decided on Wednesday as well.

Ordinarily such decisions are made amid extensive consultations within the party as well as with any coalition allies. But the BJP, having earned an outright majority on its own – the first party do accomplish that since 1984 – is in a position to impose its will.

Mr Modi has asked for “a free hand” to decide who will run his government, the Hindu reported on Friday, quoting BJP leaders.

During his three terms as chief minister of Gujarat, Mr Modi kept his cabinet small and close-knit, often retaining key ministries himself, said Aakar Patel, a Bangalore-based political analyst. “I think that will be replicated here.”

Perhaps most watched of all the potential government members will be Amit Shah, Mr Modi’s trusted aide throughout his time as chief minister in Gujarat. Mr Modi may choose to keep Mr Shah close, giving him a post in the prime minister’s office.

On the other hand, given how skilled he is at political strategy, Mr Shah may embed himself further into the BJP's top circles, planning its campaigns in subsequent state elections. It was Mr Shah who orchestrated the party's stunning victory in Uttar Pradesh, where the Hindu nationalist BJP won an astonishing 71 out of 80 seats in the state that has the highest population of Muslims in India.

Three top BJP leaders, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley have been tipped for top cabinet posts.

Mr Jaitley, a lawyer, may be India’s next finance minister, while Mr Singh – currently the BJP president – is a possible candidate for home or defence minister.

During the tenure of the last government, Ms Swaraj was the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. Mr Jaitley led the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house.

“Crucially, I think he’ll retain for himself all the ministries that relate directly to economic growth or infrastructure,” Mr Patel said, referring to Mr Modi’s projection of himself as a leader who could expedite investment and economic progress.

Other names circulating in Delhi include that of Ravi Shankar Prasad, a lawyer and a popular party spokesperson, who might be given the law ministry portfolio. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, a licensed commercial pilot who held the aviation ministry portfolio in 2002, could do so again.

Reports have also suggested that LK Advani, at 86 the most senior leader of the BJP and a man who had aspired to be the prime ministerial candidate himself, has sought to be the speaker of the Lok Sabha.

But like Ms Swaraj, Mr Advani is not close to Mr Modi, and their ambitions will depend upon his wishes.

“He has steamrolled some of them already” in becoming the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Mr Patel said, “and he may well steamroll them again.”