Though RSS may have decided not to interfere with ministry-making but it feels that party leader Arun Jaitley and BJP president Rajnath Singh should join the government.
According to BJP sources, Sangh leaders camping in Delhi gave their assessment in the context of Rajnath’s stated stand that he would like to continue in the organization.
This was confirmed by sources close to Rajnath although they abstained from spelling out whether the party chief is ready to make another study of his stand yet.
RSS’s advice to Rajnath is seen as important because it may clear the way for the appointment of a new party chief, probably someone who is in sync with PM-elect Narendra Modi’s need to give a face-lift the organizational machinery.
Party circles think about general secretary Jagat Prakash Nadda among the possibilities. The former chief of the BJP’s youth wing Bharatiya Yuva Janata Morcha comes from Himachal Pradesh and worked under Modi when he was general secretary in charge of the state.
RSS leaders have also advised Jaitley not to take a back seat of government because of his defeat in Amritsar constituency.
“RSS is of the opinion that one’s personal setback should not distract him from the larger goal of the organization,” said a senior BJP leader.
Rajnath has been speculated as a possibility for both defence and home.
A series of meetings was held between Modi and with senior party leaders including Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje in what was described as a ministry-making exercise.
Political circles are eagerly looking forward to the allocation of portfolios as this is expected to provide a good insight into the saffron hierarchy under Modi. While sources said specific names for heavyweight portfolios have not been discussed so far, speculation was widespread about who might get what.
There are indications that L K Advani may be willing to be Speaker of Lok Sabha keep growing, a good one coming from his daughter Pratibha who said the veteran could consider handling the constitutional position if asked by the party.
But, there was no clearness about the leadership’s preference for a position which in unreliable and ambitious hands can become a source of distress for the government.
Nitin Gadkari, former party Chief has been speculated as a hot probable for an important economic portfolio because of his reputation for efficient execution of projects.
Sushma Swaraj, the ex-leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and parliamentary board member Ananth Kumar, who easily overcame the challenge of Nandan Nilekani to win the Bangalore South seat yet again, are both seen as certainties for Cabinet berths. But party circles are impatient with speculation about the choice of portfolios for them.
Ditto for Murli Manohar Joshi, who likes fellow physically powerful Advani and RSS leaders camping in Delhi, was the recipient of a “courtesy call” from Modi.
Modi also met NDA partner Ram Vilas Paswan whose LJP won six of the seven seats it contested in Bihar and boosted BJP’s chances in many more.
According to sources, the Dalit leader was certain to get a good portfolio in the light of his contribution to Modi’s total as also the recognition that continuing the partnership will help the BJP in Bihar elections.