by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Why Modi gave Home to Amit Shah ?
Needed an Iron Man to discipline Police, Intelligence
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, May 31
The allocation of Home portfolio on debut to Amit Shah is a clear indication that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi wanted an “Iron Hand” to deal with police administration and overhaul the security and intelligence apparatus.
Though Rajnath Singh is a veteran party leader and stationed in North Block for the past five years as Modi's number two. But he failed to make Delhi a role model in law & order and bring cohesiveness among the the various wings of the security apparatus. Rajnath Singh is a status-quoits with no-risk taking person and failed to crack the whip in the intelligence agencies and police organisations across the country. His coordination with NSA Ajit Doval was also lacking because he would not take any initiative, sources say.
In the first year of Modi government, there were reports of differences between the two also surfaced when the PM mentioned about the activities of his son holding meetings in five star hotels in Delhi. Though these reports were denied but Rajnath Singh became so cautious that he would not move a finger without asking the PMO thereby making Home Ministry a subservient. Modi showed great patience and waited until the second inning began and installed his right hand man in North Block.
Though there were reports that Amit Shah will get the Finance portfolio. But Modi alone knew what he wants to do and he installed Shah in Home at the first opportunity without disturbing the Number 2 position of Rajnath Singh in the government. This will be first time that Home Minister will not be Number 2 in the government. Historically, it had happened when Devi Lal was Deputy PM but with Agriculture Ministry portfolio.
Shah will now coordinate all activities of country's security including sensitive J&K, Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau and other agencies.
Though mistrust always existed between the PM and the HM since the time of Nehru-Patel and the “Vikas Purush & Loh Purush” analogy during the Atal-Advani days created a huge mistrust between the South Block & North Block then. But in the case of Modi and Shah, times, situations and age are different. Shah, 54 year old, is the product of Modi who will be 69 and looking for able successor himself. He has no family to nurture personal ambitions. Therefore, he in on hunt for talent and ideas and experimenting with new faces where first timers become Finance Minister in Nirmala Sitharaman.
Ends
