Cabinet Panels Named, BJP Allies Get Highest Representation Since 2014

New Delhi: 

The fact that the BJP is running a government without a majority on its own was reflected in the newly constituted Cabinet committees on Wednesday as well as the time taken in naming their members. The BJP’s allies in the NDA have got the highest representation in the panels since 2014. 

The members of the committees have been announced over three weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the council of ministers took oath on June 9.  

One panel that will remain unchanged is the all-important Cabinet Committee on Security, which takes decisions on all national security related matters, including defence expenditure and senior appointments in the security apparatus. Headed by the Prime Minister, the committee also consists of the Ministers for Defence, Home Affairs, Finance and External Affairs and not only will the composition remain unchanged but also the people, with all the Modi 2.0 ministers in the committee retaining their portfolios. 

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, which deals with economic and political issues as well as Centre-state relations and is also known as the ‘Super Cabinet’, has now got the Telegu Desam Party’s K Rammohan Naidu and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) Chief Jitan Ram Manjhi as members. 

Mr Manjhi is the minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while Mr Naidu is the Civil Aviation minister.