Narendra Modi officially takes charge; Cabinet portfolios announced
Rajnath Singh gets Home ministry, Sushma Swaraj External affairs
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office on Tuesday, a day after being sworn-in by President Pranab Mukherjee. Modi was received at South block office of the PMO by newly appointed Principal Secretary Nripendra Mishra and some other officials.
As soon as he entered his office, he paid obeisance to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi by offering flower tributes to his photograph. However, even before assuming charge, Modi had already began his official work last night itself by holding a meeting with top officials.
Soon after he was sworn-in as Prime Minister, Modi sought support, blessings and active participation of the people to take India's development journey to newer heights.
"Together we will script a glorious future for India," he said in his first message on the relaunched PMO website. "Let us together dream of a strong, developed and inclusive India that actively engages with the global community to strengthen the cause of world peace and development," he added.
Narendra Modi was sworn in as the country's 15th Prime Minister on May 26. The grand ceremony witnessed the participation of over 4,000 guests, 8 SAARC nation heads along with Bollywood stars and top industrialists. After an astounding victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi and his ministers will finally take charge.
A young team, no dynasty, and marginalisation of the old guard marked the new team of Narendra Modi, who was sworn in as India’s 15th Prime Minister Monday evening. Mr Modi started his innings with a team of 45 ministers, that included 23 Cabinet ministers, 10 ministers of state with independent charge and 12 other ministers of state.
Here are Modi and his ministers:
| Ministers | Profile and portfolios |
|---|---|
Rajnath Singh: Home Ministry Twice BJP president, oversaw anointment of Modi as Prime Ministerial candidate, which saw BJP returning to power with highest margin. Former UP CM, Union minister, joined RSS when he was 13. Teacher before entering politics via ABVP. | |
Sushma Swaraj: External affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs Initially seen as dissenter, No. 3 position in Cabinet is seen as acknowledgment of her capabilities. Articulate speaker who can speak in chaste Hindi and English with equally felicity. Daughter of RSS worker, well regarded by Sangh top brass due to her strong espousal of swadesi. | |
| un-Supported Media | Arun Jaitley: Finance, Corporate Affairs and Defence Ministry Known Modi confidant, defended him vigorously after Gujarat riots, played a crucial role in his rise to the top against voices of dissent in party. Makes it to Cabinet despite loss in LS poll. Strategist more than a grassroots politician, key helmsman of BJP’s 2014 campaign, eminent lawyer. |
Nitin Gadkari: Road Transport and Highways, Shipping Key member of Modi’s core group, formerly youngest BJP president, able administrator with innovative approaches. A first-timer in Lok Sabha, veteran Maharashtra leader. Gave his native Nagpur a new face, known as ‘flyover man’ in Mumbai, helmed construction of Mumbai-Pune expressway. | |
Gopinath Munde: Rural Development, Panchayati Raj Drinking Water and Sanitation Former Dy CM, OBC face of BJP, first time Union minister, brother-in-law of slain BJP leader Pramod Mahajan. Hails from a poor family in Marathwada. His daughter Pankaja Palave, is an MLA. | |
Ananth Kumar: Parliamentary affairs From the RSS, once considered close to L.K. Advani, known for his political adroitness. Six-time MP defeated IT czar Nandan Nilekani. Law graduate, was minister in Vajpayee Cabinet. Known detractor of B.S. Yeddyurappa. Age 63. | |
Ram Vilas Paswan: Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution First to rejoin NDA, credited with removing the tag of 'political untouchability' from Narendra Modi. Known for correctly judging which way the wind was blowing. Prominent Dalit face of government, nine-time MP. | |
Ravishankar Prasad: Telecom, Law Articulate BJP leader, former Union minister. Student leader in Patna University under Lalu Prasad, argued fodder case against him in SC. Well-known lawyer, argued Ayodhya title suit. | |
| un-Supported Media | Kalraj Mishra: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises RSS pracharak, associate of Jayaprakash Nara-yan. Three time Rajya Sabha member, former UP BJP chief. Introduced 16 private member’s bill in RS, including one to regulate sale of acid. |
Smriti Irani: Human Resource Development First time minister, Rajya Sabha MP, acerbic spokesperson, one of the most popular faces on TV. Married to businessman Zubin Irani, has a son and a daughter. Fought against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in elections. | |
Anant Geete: Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shiv Sena loyalist, trusted lieutenant of Uddhav Thackeraym, but keeps a low profile. Power minister in Vajyapee Cabinet. Had started his political career as corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. | |
Radha Mohan Singh: Agriculture minister Five-time MP from Motihari, Bihar, unsung Swayamsevak who shifted to BJP. Came in for direct praise from Modi during campaign, known as an organisational man. Started career as ABVP pramukh, a cricket enthusiast. | |
Jual Oram: Tribal Affairs Party’s lone winner from Odisha, India’s first tribal affairs minister in Vajpayee government. A former PSU employee, holds diploma in electrical engineering. Keen lover of tribal culture, traditions. | |
Najma Heptullah: Minority Affairs Lone Muslim face in Modi Cabinet, five-time RS member. Grand-niece of eminent freedom fighter Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad. Left Congress in 2004. Well-known writer. Ph.D. in Cardiac Anatomy. | |
Harsimrat Kaur: Food Processing Industries Daughter-in-law of Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, second-time Akali Dal MP. Has raised concerns related to victims of 1984 riots in Parliament. Brother Bikram Singh is an influential minister in the Punjab government. | |
| Venkaiah Naidu: Urban Development Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Parliamentary Affairs Astute leader, inspi-ring orator, committed party worker, among BJP’s most prominent faces from south India. Former BJP chief, began political career as president of youth wing of Janata Party AP. | |
Thawar Chand Gehlot: Social Justice and Empowerment RS member, five-time MP; well-known SC leader in MP. Scheduled Castes in Madhya Pradesh. Headed BJP’s Scheduled Castes Cell, deputed as BJP Central observer for Gujarat, considered close to Modi. | |
Gen. V.K. Singh (retd): Development of North Eastern Region (Independent Charge); External Affairs; Overseas Indian Affairs Former Army Chief, battled UPA government over his age. First-time MP and minister. His anti-graft tirade led Army to launch court martial proceedings against many Lt. Generals. Alleged he was offered bribes to buy Tatra trucks. | |
Sripad Naik: MoS Culture Fourth term MP from North Goa, minister in Vajpayee government. Considered competitor to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Three-time MP, wanted to return to state politics, but denied. | |
Dharmendra Pradhan: MoS Petroleum and Natural Gas RS member from Bihar, vocal opponent of religion based reservation in jobs. Started career in ABVP; organisational in-charge of BJP in Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Odisha. | |
Nirmala Sitharaman: MoS Commerce Articulate BJP spokesperson, liked due to her sincere approach. Not an MP at present, likely to be nominated to the Upper House. Born in Tamil Nadu and married to Para-kala Prabhakar. Family runs school in Hyderabad | |
Rao Inderjit Singh: MoS Planning (Independent Charge) Quit Congress and joined BJP a few months before polls. A prominent Ahir leader, minister in UPA-I. Pushed indigenous defence production and pushed prestigious DRDO projects including the Arjun tank and LCA. | |
Harsh Vardhan: Health Minister Known for his easy-going attitude and simplicity, credited with uniting factions in Delhi BJP, RSS member for long, CM nominee for Delhi in December, took a strong stand against forming minority government in December last. Practicing ENT surgeon. | |
Ashok Gajapathi Raju: Civil Aviation Hails from titular family of Vizianagaram, seven-time AP MLA, first elected as Janata Party candidate, TD member since inception. Family is known for philanthropic activities in north coastal AP | |
Maneka Gandhi: Women and Child development Animal-rights activist, seven-time MP and younger daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi. India’s first animal welfare minister in Vajpayee Cabinet. Joined politics after the death of Sanjay Gandhi in 1980. | |
Uma Bharti: Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Firebrand Hindutva mascot, often referred to as ‘Sadhvi’. Union minister for second time, five-time MP, former MP Chief Minister. Leading light in the Ram Temple movement. Sacked after long-simmering row. | |
| un-Supported Media | Sadananda Gowda: Railways Minister First timer in Union ministry, was Karnataka BJP chief in 2008 when party won its first state elections in the south. Former chief minister. Graduated to BJP via ABVP, mentored by BJP strongman B.S. Yeddyurappa. |
Prakash Javadekar: Information and Broadcasting Minister One of the most visible faces of BJP on TV, considered close to Nitin Gadkari, a member of Modi’s core group. Instrumental in striking a deal with Chandrababu Naidu’s TD, party incharge of elections in AP. Comm-erce graduate, ex-banker | |
Sarbananda Sonowal: Minister of State (Independent Charge) Most promising leaders from Assam, credited with leading party to victory in seven seats out of 14 in the state. Credited with challenging the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, that was stuck down by SC. | |
Narendra Singh Tomar: Mines Steel Labour and Employment MP BJP chief, instrumental in securing third term for Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Known for his connect with the rank and file of the party, shares a good rapport with RSS leadership. | |
| Santosh Kumar Gangwar: MoS Textiles (Independent Charge) |
Sudarshan Bhagat Social Justice and Empowerment
| |
Vishnu Deo Sai Mines, Steel, Labour and Employment | |
Jitendra Singh (Independent charge) Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Prime Minister Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space | |
Piyush Goyal (Independent charge) Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy |
Other Ministers of State include:
• GM Siddeshwara - Civil Aviation
• Manoj Sinha - Railways
• Nihal Chand - Chemicals and Fertilizers
• Upendra Kushwaha - Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation
• Radhakrishnan P - Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
• Kiren Rijiju - Home Affairs
• Krishan Pal - Road Transport and Highways, Shipping
• Sanjeev Kumar Balyan - Agriculture, Food Processing Industries
• Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava - Tribal Affairs
• Raosaheb Dadarao Danve - Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution