Team Modi, after the initial hype, has been pilloried for its inability to govern well. But all is not lost. Three solid pillars have emerged, and they are in a hurry to build a strong foundation for growth.
Winning Elections is one thing. Running a government is another. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen to be good at both, the same can’t be said about his ministerial colleagues. The cocktail circuit developed its own epithets. ‘Light weight’ ministers and ‘rubber stamps’ are some of the terms used to describe the team. Some interestingly have been dubbed ‘call-drop’ minister or ‘Manu-Smriti’.
It was, in fact, getting lonely at the top for the PM, when the trio of Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Suresh Prabhu began to catch the public eye as performers. It was about time too.
NITIN GADKARI
Roads & transport minister
- During the UPA era, highways construction pace had dipped to 2 km per day; it’s 18 km a day now.
- Regional offices have been empowered to grant forest clearances to kickstart growth in the sector .
- Online applications to construct rail under- and over-bridges have been allowed.
History has a way of repeating itself in interesting ways. In 2003, Prabhu spent sleepless nights preparing the historic Electricity Act, 2003 as power minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He was a Shiv Sena member and a ‘technocrat’. By the time you read this, Prabhu would have delivered his third Railway Budget. In 2003, Ved Prakash Goyal was Union shipping minister. He was a lifelong BJP man and a Rajya Sabha MP. Today, his son Piyush is rated as one of the star performers in the cabinet of PM Modi as Union minister for coal, power and renewable energy.
This story is from the March 7, 2016 edition of Businessworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 7, 2016 edition of Businessworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Powerful, Peculiar Perquisites
MOST COMPANIES recognise that people are key to their success. Competition is all about the war for talent. Higher compensations can, in many cases, attract that brilliant leader or the tech genius, but a competitor may well offer even more. This race is financially draining and not really a great strategy.
Shaping The Future Of India's Infrastructure
RUPEN PATEL on the achievements of the engineering and construction major including the iconic projects rendered by it, nation building, focus on sustainable practices and much more
WHY DON'T WE SUE BRITAIN?
I WAS WORKING ON my next column for BW – on one of my favourite themes like ‘Sustainability’, ‘Inclusivity’, ‘India Shining’ etc.
LIFE AND TIMES OF A MEDIA TITAN
DD Purkayastha's autobiography captures his 42-year tryst with the ABP Group, delving into various aspects of his professional and personal experiences, as well as insights into the factors that have shaped his character and career trajectory
THE SONET STRIKES BACK
The sub-4-metre SUV segment in India has been a battlefield for automakers, each vying for supremacy with their unique propositions. With the launch of 2024 Kia Sonet, the South Korean automaker is sharpening its edges in this competitive market
SLEEK, SUBTLE, COMPACT AND EASY TO CARRY
The HP Omen Transcend 14 targets a niche market that is growing day by day. Statistically, never in history, was there a better time to launch a gaming laptop, says Deep Majumdar
Geopolitical Resilience for Indian Companies
It's in crisis that inventiveness is born, as well as discoveries made and great strategies arise. He who overcomes crisis, overcomes himself, without getting overcome. - Albert Einstein
The Sourav Ganguly Era
Lessons in Leadership from Indian Cricket - 2
Leadership Challenges Were Not This Long, Before
LEADING IN TODAY’S dynamic environment presents unprecedented challenges. The list of challenges is never-ending. They include navigating complex decisions, staying resilient, inspiring teams, staying innovative, and continually adapting to the constantly changing ecosystem.
The Supreme Court Emerges as a Net Zero Polestar
'Dharma exists for the welfare of all beings. Hence, that by which the welfare of all living beings is sustained, that for sure is dharma,' - Mahabharata (Shanti Parva 109.10)