Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Monday, 13th March, was given additional charge of the Defense Ministry after Manohar Parrikar resigned to take over as the Chief Minister of Goa. Manohar Parrikar submitted his resignation to PMO and President Pranab Mukherjee after he was chosen by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers to lead the Goa government, where BJP is ready to form a coalition government.
A source said that the resignation of Manohar Parrikar as the defense minister was on the advice of PM Narendra Modi, has been accepted with immediate effect. The President has directed on the advice of Prime Minister, that Arun Jaitley shall be assigned the charge of Defense Ministry, in addition to his existing post”.
This will be the second innings of 64-year-old Arun Jaitley as defense minister. He was also appointed defense minister in 2014 when the BJP’s Modi government came into power. Mr. Arun Jaitley relinquished the defense ministry in November 2014 when PM Modi brought in Manohar Parrikar from Goa. He had started his innings in the Modi Government with the charge of two ministries on either side of Raisina Hill; the finance ministry in North Block and the defense ministry in South Block.
But what is the reason behind this Swapping- Swapping game of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)? Obviously, Narendra Modi is one of the senior most and best Indian politician. He knows the politics very well, how to handle any situation, whether it is negative or positive. Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Laxmikant Parsekar replaced Mr. Parrikar in 2014. But BJP didn’t accept his capability as a predecessor of Parrikar and it is very clear after the election result of 2017 in Goa, BJP could able to win only 13 seats and it is the struggle for existence for BJP in Goa. But they are happy with the performance of Mr. Parrikar as a Chief Minister as well as Defense Minister also. Even as a Defence Minister, Mr. Manohar Parrikar has often been called Goa’s super CM, a reflection of the interest in state politics even after taking the charge of Defense Ministry.
As the President of India confirmed the news of additional responsibilities for Arun Jaitley on the finance ministry, Netizens were quite baffled. Mr. Jaitley already holds other portfolios such as finance and corporate affairs. He was always the first choice of Modi government for any additional charge. Earlier, Arun Jaitley was also the Union information and broadcasting minister. It proves the excellent performance of Jaitley as well as the faith and confidence of Indian government on his performance.
Netizens tweeted to express their views about Jaitley’s additional charge. While many are disappointed to see Parrikar vacate the seat, mostly users are trying to analyze, what Jaitley’s move meant. While few of them tried to access the move politically and said that a full-time defense minister is needed in India in this critical situation.
