by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Amit Shah Takes the Centre Stage
Calling the shots in Govt., Party & Parliament
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, July 21
Union Home Minister Amit Shah may be number three in the Order of Precedence in the government. But the first time Union Minister & Member of Parliament is not only calling the shots in government but made a big mark in running the affairs in parliament too. No doubt, the absence of senior leader Arun Jaitley is felt by all. But Amit Shah has made an impact in no time with his quick decision making, no-nonsense style and straight forward approach. He is perhaps the only minister in the whole of government who speaks with authority leaving none in doubt that he derives it from none other than the PM. Amit Shah's writ runs in the party, government and now for smooth running of Parliament too. The other day when the Opposition parties were creating a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah conveyed to party managers that the house should not be adjourned for the day. Rather, the Opposition be tired out and adjournments be on hourly basis only. The strategy worked and the House ran smoothly after three adjournments.
When a few journalists covering the Home Ministry on a regular basis sought to know if their entry would also be restricted in North Block as was done by his counterpart Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Amit Shah shot back, “I am a large-hearted person. I don't impose such restrictions." No other minister would say this publicly. But Amit Shah doesn't minces words and believes in sending out a clear signal that he disapproves of such steps.
He is the first Union Minister in the Modi dispensation who ensured his two deputies to introduce various bills in both houses of parliament and even reply to debates. Amit Shah sat through the debates and intervened whenever required. But it was clear that he is promoting his juniors. Taking the cue, other senior ministers started doing the same now. Amit Shah even asked his juniors to reply to Parliamentary questions during the Question Hour. Both Ministers of state - Nityanand Rai or G Kishna Reddy - had not even dreamt of that they would be handling such key duties during their first term. The only time Amit Shah moved the motion was when Extension of President's rule in the state of Jammu & Kashmir was brought in the Parliament. Amit Shah is keen to solve the Kashmir & NRC issues and win West Bengal. He has made a mark during the first 50 days as Home Minister. If he is aggressive and straightforward, he loves to gossip and jokes in the Central Hall of Parliament too provided norms are followed by journalists.
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