The results for 2019 Lok Sabha elections have been declared and BJP has returned to power with a thumping majority winning a historic 303 seats on its own and 353 seats along with their allies in the NDA alliance. NDA will be meeting in the capital today to decide on government formation. Narendra Modi is expected to be chosen as the Prime Minister for the second term of the NDA government. On Friday, Narendra Modi had met honorable President and tendered his resignation along with the Council of Ministers, and the President has requested them to continue till the new government assumes office.
With a bigger mandate, the stage is all set for the NDA to take over the 17th Lok Sabha; speculations over the contenders for various ministerial posts have also been making rounds. Ministry of Home Affairs considered as one of the most important ministries is also in the spotlight. Most of the incumbent ministers are expected to continue with their portfolios however cabinet reshuffle cannot be totally overruled. Considering their experience top contenders emerging for the Home Minister’s post are:
Rajnath Singh
Incumbent Home Minister, Rajnath Singh comes to the table by improving his victory margin from the Lucknow parliamentary constituency from 272749 in 2014 general elections to 347302 votes in this general elections getting a total of 6,33,026 votes which is a massive 56.7% vote share. Ministry of Home Affairs under the leadership of Rajnath Singh has been seeing various progressive steps. Be it anti-terrorist operations in Kashmir by central forces or anti-naxal operations, steps taken towards the strengthening of digital infrastructure for security by the ministry of home affairs have got widespread recognition. With his track record and experience, Rajnath Singh is likely to continue as the Home Minister unless in the event of a total cabinet reshuffle.
Amit Shah
Current BJP President Amit Shah’s name is also making rounds for being a top contender for the post of Home Minister. Amit Shah is likely to step down as BJP President given the BJP’s constitution which states that individuals may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Amit Shah was re-elected for a full three-year term in 2016 after he had replaced Rajnath Singh as the party president as the former went on to join the Modi Cabinet following the 2014 general elections victory. A close confidant of Narendra Modi, Amit Shah became the youngest minister in the Modi Government in Gujarat and at one time held as many as 12 portfolios under his leadership: Home, Law and Justice, Prison, Border Security, Civil Defence, Excise, Transport, Prohibition, Home Guards, Gram Rakshak Dal, Police Housing, and Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs. Given his experience, Amit Shah might plausibly take on the Ministry of Home Affairs in the new Modi Cabinet.
Kiren Rijiju
Current Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju is a young firebrand politician, known for his oratory skills. Kiren Rijiju won the 2019 general elections from the Arunachal West PC with a massive vote share of 63% which is the third highest winning percentage margin in India. During 2004-09, Kiren Rijiju was placed among the top 5 opposition MPs reviewed by their peers in the treasury bench based on the high benchmark in debates, discussions and decorum and was placed among stalwarts like L.K. Advani. He was also chosen as the best young MP by many national news agencies and magazines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been widely lauded for the inculcation of strong regional faces into his council of ministers given this and his experience as the Minister of State, Kiren Rijiju can surely emerge as the top choice for the apex position in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Coming back to power with a huge mandate, this new government formation is sure to witness some innovative changes. With old guard making space for new, various young faces are poised to feature in the council of ministers in the new Modi government. The final mandate over these decisions ultimately rests with the Prime Minister however whatever outcome plays out; it is sure to further boost India forward.
