Modi stamp intact: Portfolio allocation represents continuity and the promise of stability

Modi 3.0 cabinet is a clear attempt to reassure the global players as well as the markets and people of India that there will be stability.

Continuity, stability and a little bit of change. This captures what the portfolio allocation exercise of PM Narendra Modi has been all about. As expected, the top ministers didn’t change. So, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar will continue doing what they have. No surprises here as the PM was insistent on the fact that the 100 days and beyond agenda of the government must go ahead; it must surge and changing the team here could mean a delay.

It’s the other changes which are an interesting mix. Take Shivraj Singh Chouhan, or mamaji, as he is called. He has been given the ministries of agriculture and farmer welfare, and rural development. One of the biggest challenges for the former CM of Madhya Pradesh will be to figure out whether the farm laws which were shelved can be brought back in a new form.

More than that, it needs reaching out, placating the ruffled feathers. Shivraj is known to have a flair with this. In fact, one of the success stories of the MP polls was the loan waiver drive of his government ahead of the state polls where he waived over Rs 2,200 crore. However, getting the farm laws back may not be easy. Though, it is significant that the first decision taken by the PM was related to benefits for farmers.

The interesting takeaway is also that contrary to the belief, the portfolio is not skewed in favour of the allies. Dr Manmohan Singh in his second term had to buckle under ally pressure and was forced to admit TR Baalu in his cabinet, contrary to his wishes. Modi has done no such thing. Like, the railways have not gone to the JD(U). It remains with Ashwani Vaishnav. Instead, Lallan Singh has been given Panchayati Raj ministry, which the PM thinks could be handy for Bihar polls. Civil aviation is being held by the TDP, which has been in charge of this ministry earlier too.

These calls couldn’t have been taken minus the support of the allies. The fact that the Modi stamp is intact shows that the Prime Minister has taken the first big step towards a government of consensus and yet sends out a message that he will be the boss and that allies cannot arm twist him.

But some choices are interesting. Like choosing Kiren Rijiju as the parliamentary affairs minister. With the opposition getting good numbers, they are bound to be belligerent. Usually a senior is made the parliamentary affairs minister; one who knows how to be both combative and conciliatory. Will Rijiju be able to do this job? Will the opposition listen to him?

To sum up, the Modi 3.0 cabinet is a clear attempt to reassure the global players as well as the markets and people of India that there will be stability. It is an attempt to show that it's very much Modi in action.