Key Ministers in the New BJP Government

Arun Jaitley, 61, was named minister for finance, defence and corporate affairs even though he lost a seat in the elections. He was head of opposition in the upper house of parliament under the Congress-led government. During the BJP-led administration from 1999 to 2004, Jaitley worked as minister for information and broadcasting, asset sales, law, commerce and trade. As a corporate lawyer, he has represented companies including Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc.  Born into a family that migrated to India from Pakistan after the nations were separated in 1947, Jaitley was a leader of the youth wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu nationalist group and the BJP’s ideological parent.

Rajnath Singh, 62, was named home minister. The BJP president was once a physics lecturer in his home of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India. Singh became a member of the upper house of parliament and chief whip of the BJP in 1997. In 2000, he returned to Uttar Pradesh as chief minister, and later became the minister of agriculture and food processing in the Vajpayee government. As minister, he created a call center for farmers in financial trouble and created the farm income insurance program, according to his website.

Sushma Swaraj, 62, was named foreign minister, after serving as health and information ministers in previous cabinets. The BJP’s highest ranking female leader was among a group of veterans who’ve been side-lined as Modi has risen within the party, leading to friction that was evident during the campaign.

Nirmala Sitharaman is originally from Trichy. Her father was in the Railways. She studies later in Delhi at Convent of Jesus and Mary. Later in JNU, she registered for a PhD on “India-Europe Textile Trade” but did not complete the thesis on account of marriage to an Andhraite. She moved to London and later Hyderabad. She was the articulate spokesperson of the BJP known for her careful choice of words and balanced communications.

In her new role of independent charge of Commerce and Industry, she will bring a fresh mind to the complex world of trade. The subjects of WTO and Trade Management will be in her charge. In addition, she will work under Arun Jaitley as Junior Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs.

Nirmala ji has her plate full. The trade and industry will be kind to her in the initial phase of her batting but bitter comments will flow if she does not score well!

Nitin Gadkari, 66, is India’s minister of road transport and highways, as well as shipping. He was BJP president from 2009 to 2013 before graft allegations thwarted his attempts to win a second term. Gadkari owns the Purti Group, which has at least five companies involved in manufacturing electricity, sugar, alcohol, ethanol, bio-diesel and fertilizers, according to its website. Gadkari was among those who seconded the motion to elect Modi as the party’s pick for prime minister.