Nirmala Sitharaman became the second Defence Minister since India’s Independence. After the third Cabinet reshuffle the PM inducted 13 new ministers and gave the Defence Ministry Portfolio to Nirmala Sitharaman. Nirmala Sitharaman is one of the ministers who have been elevated to cabinet rank by the PM. Nirmala Sitharaman takes over the ministry from Arun Jaitley. It was reported that besides the Defence Ministry Arun Jaitley was also taking care of the Finance in the BJP Government.
Nirmala Sitharaman became the second Defence Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman was named the new defence minister after the BJP cabinet reshuffle. Nirmala Sitharaman is the only the second woman to hold the post of Defence Minister in India since India’s independence in 1947. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was the first woman to hold this portfolio.
According to reports, Indira Gandhi did not hold the crucial ministry portfolio full time which incidentally makes Nirmala Sitharaman the first ‘dedicated’ woman defence minister of India.
Crucial department, not an easy path ahead!
The Defence Minister portfolio is considered one of the crucial portfolios in the cabinet. It has been given to Nirmala Sitharaman at a time when both eastern and western fronts are on high alert. Considering this fact, the time is not going to be easy for Nirmala Sitharaman who has just been elevated to the cabinet rank.
According to a report, Nitin Gadkari’s name was in the picture but Nirmala Sitharaman’s elevation is being termed out as an out blue decision. Following Arun Jaitley’s success in the Doklam crisis party members were expecting Arun Jaitley to keep the Defence Ministry prior to the cabinet reshuffle.
Nirmala Sitharaman experience
Nirmala Sitharaman was the minister of state for commerce. It is believed that Nirmala Sitharaman gained in confidence in handling the ministry. She is also credited to have executed multilateral negotiations successfully. Nirmala Sitharaman carved a niche for herself as the party spokesperson when BJP was in the opposition.
It must be noted that ‘Start up India’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives were initiated by the commerce ministry. Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted this initiative by the commerce ministry as she was the minister of state for commerce before being elevated to the position of the Defence Minster of India.
Source: Economic Times
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