Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (NM)
Bangalore, May 29: The induction of former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet with a juicy portfolio and the allocation of a relatively less significant portfolio to BJP national chief secretary Ananth Kumar, might have come as a surprise to many. There are also reports of some resentment among the BJP members.
D V Sadananda Gowda (DVS) has been allocated the ministry of railways and prominent BJP leader from Karnataka, Ananth Kumar, who has been elected to the Parliament for the sixth time, has to be satisfied with the portfolio of chemicals and fertilizers.
For BJP leaders and party workers, Ananth Kumar was an influential candidate at the national level. But as it turns out, this was not the case with the BJP high command and it was evident during the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet members. On Monday May 26, it was plain for all to see that Ananth Kumar was less prominent in comparison to DVS, suggesting that the former has been sidelined at the national level.
"These developments have brought back those who had distanced themselves from Gowda. The former chief minister, who was limited to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi constituencies, has emerged as a state and national leader enjoying strong Vokkaliga support. Besides, the difference between the Gowda of coastal region and the Gowda of Bangalore is slowly vanishing. All this has come as a heavy blow to Ananth Kumar and former deputy chief minister R Ashok, who enjoyed strong support in the Bangalore municipal region," said a senior BJP leader who did not want to be named.
Known as an ardent supporter of L K Advani, it was widely understood that Ananth Kumar would face hard times politically if Modi came to power. The reason - Ananth Kumar was part of the team which relieved Modi from the core BJP team many years ago.
However, soon after the announcement of Modi as the Prime Ministerial candidate, Ananth Kumar had shifted loyalties from Advani to Modi. During the Lok Sabha election, Ananth Kumar campaigned in the name of Modi. His actions suggested that he would bag a prime portfolio in Modi’s cabinet.
There were indications of DVS emerging as a favorite during the visit of Narendra Modi to Bangalore to address the campaign rally. Both Ananth Kumar and DVS shared the dais, but the latter spent a lot of time in conversation with Modi while Ananth Kumar sat mute.
All these developments have helped DVS sport a broader smile than Ananth Kumar!
Ananth Kumar defends
Probably stung by speculations that he was being sidelined, a defiant Ananth Kumar told media persons on Wednesday May 28 that his portfolio was in no way less important than others. "Four former Prime Ministers have held the chemicals and fertilisers portfolio," he said.
Speaking after taking charge of his ministry, Ananth Kumar said, "All players are equal in a cricket team. For me, the important thing is that I have got an opportunity to be part of Modi's team. My portfolio is not of low rank, four former Prime Ministers have previously held this post. Hence, it is not correct for the media to say that Ananth Kumar has not been given a good portfolio."