Modi Cabinet: No change in important committee of security matters, Defence, Home, Foreign, and Finance ministries remain with the BJP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has handed over the ministries of Defence, Home, External Affairs, and Finance to BJP leaders, who are part of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) that takes important decisions on issues related to national interest and security. Defense has been given to Rajnath Singh, Home Ministry to Amit Shah, External Affairs Ministry to S Jaishankar, and Finance Ministry to Nirmala Sitharaman. During the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2009 to 2014, Congress also kept these important ministries with itself.

At the same time, when the first NDA government was formed, these ministries were divided among the alliance partners. But, during the two terms of NDA from 2014 to 2019, all four ministries remained with the BJP, because the BJP had an absolute majority. However, this time immediately after the results, speculations were being made that the alliance's biggest partners Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal United (JDU) could demand one ministry each from these ministries. But, contrary to speculations, according to Amar Ujala's estimate, without making any changes in the four ministries, PM Modi has given a clear message that despite the coalition government, decisions will be taken as quickly in his third term as in the first two terms.

By handing over the old ministries to his trusted core team, the PM made it clear that the previous policies would be taken forward. Despite being a coalition government, no compromise will be made on policies and reforms.

Why is control over CCS important for the BJP?

Decisions without pressure: With all the ministries of CCS in the hands of the BJP, the party will be able to make important decisions related to national security without pressure. This centralized control also reduces the risk of internal dissent and ensures that the party's strategies can be implemented without opposition from coalition partners. This is a very important signal in the current fragmented political scenario. In short, keeping the key ministries related to CCS in its hands will not only strengthen the internal cohesion and decision-making ability of the party but will also help strengthen its public image and electoral prospects.

Integrated national security strategy: With all CCS members from the BJP, the party will be able to forge a coherent approach to national security. This coherence is crucial for quick and effective decision-making in times of crisis.

Electoral advantage: National security, defense, and strong governance are subjects that people who vote for the BJP are sensitive to. By controlling these key ministries, the party will be able to effectively communicate that they have the core elements of their government in their hands, and demonstrate their ability to govern well and make quick decisions, which is particularly beneficial in the lead-up to state assembly elections.

Eliminate policy paralysis: Coalition politics is unpredictable, with partners having different priorities, which often leads to policy paralysis. But by keeping the CCS ministry in its hands from the 18th session of the Lok Sabha, the BJP will be able to protect the government from the risk of policy paralysis or conflict of interest.