Cannot give important portfolios such as Defence, Finance, Home Affairs and External Affairs; BJP toughens stance

NEW DELHI: As the BJP does not have a majority to rule the country alone, the party is in talks with its allies on the allocation of portfolios. The 28 seats of Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and Chandrababu Naidu's TDP are essential for the BJP to form the government. In this situation, both the parties are trying to strengthen the bargaining. The TDP is demanding the post of Lok Sabha Speaker and three cabinet posts. Nitish Kumar is also demanding key important portfolios.

In addition, Nitish Kumar has also put forward the demand for special category status for Bihar. Chandrababu has also raised a similar demand for Andhra. However, the BJP has now toughened its stance on the allocation of portfolios. The BJP informed its allies that it cannot provide important portfolios such as Defence, Finance, Home Affairs and External Affairs under any circumstances. On the other hand, the allies are demanding at least one among these portfolios.

On the basis of the discussions, the allies are demanding one minister post for every 4 MPs. The TDP is sticking to its demand of four cabinet berths. The JDU also stands firm on the demand for three cabinet posts. Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, which has seven seats, and Chirag Paswan's LJP, which has five seats, are each hoping for a ministerial berth. The TDP is hoping for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker. However, the BJP is not ready to accept this demand. TDP is also demanding the IT department.

The BJP claims to have made major reforms in railways, road transport etc. under Modi's two previous NDA governments. It has made it clear that it cannot slow down the pace of reforms by giving the portfolios to its allies.