PMO plays down FM row

NEW DELHI, March 20: To check the negative publicity over the Jaswant Singh episode, the BJP swiftly launched damage control measures today ...

NEW DELHI, March 20: To check the negative publicity over the Jaswant Singh episode, the BJP swiftly launched damage control measures today with the Prime Minister8217;s Office, RSS and party leaders acting in tandem to put a rest to the controversy. The PMO issued a statement this evening denying reports that outside influence had been exerted on the allocation of the Finance and Commerce portfolios. Jaswant Singh, it said, had himself declined Atal Behari Vajpayee8217;s invitation to become Finance Minister on the grounds that he had been defeated in the Lok Sabha elections.

Singh8217;s refusal letter to Vajapyee was also circulated, while BJP and RSS circles exerted themselves to deny that Singh8217;s apparent anti-Swadeshi stance had been the stumbling block. RSS members said that even if had won the elections, Singh8217;s candidature for finance would have been opposed due to his quot;lack of experience, qualifications and interest in economic mattersquot;. Despite having been finance minister in Vajpayee8217;s 13-day government,Singh had not issued a single statement on economic issues in the past 18 months, while Yashwant Sinha had frequently done so, they said.

One reason that Sinha has found favour with the RSS 8212; though he joined the BJP only two years ago and is not a member of the RSS 8212; was his readiness to participate in shakhas at the BJP8217;s training camp for its MPs in Jhinjholi last year. He also joined the Swadeshi Jagran Manch. In its statement, the PMO also clarified that Ramakrishna Hegde had been made Commerce Minister because his quot;administrative calibre and vast all-round experiencequot; made him the best qualified person to head a ministry that has quot;assumed exceptional importancequot; in today8217;s era of globalisation. The PMO denied reports that Hegde had been earlier selected for the Defence portfolio but later given the Commerce portfolio because of the objections of 8220;a member of the BJP-led alliance8221; Subramanian Swamy.

But the dust has still not settled over portfolio distribution. Lawyer Ram Jethmalani is said tobe unhappy at being given Urban Development and openly said he would have preferred Law. But he told The Indian Express that he was 8220;ready to take up the new challenge8221;.

This morning, some of Hegde8217;s close aides had decided to go in a delegation to meet Vajpayee to tell him they were hurt at the last-minute change in their leader8217;s portfolio. Realising that such a move would show the new government in bad light, Hegde stopped them.

Making light of his supporters8217; disappointment, Hegde told The Indian Express: 8220;Every job is equally important though in the public perception Raisina Hill South and North Blocks where the ministries of Finance, Defence, External Affairs and Home are located is the most important.8221;

At Thursday afternoon8217;s meeting of the Cabinet, Hegde was taken aside by Vajpayee and told about Fernandes8217;s insistence on the Defence portfolio which had been promised to him a week back as a condition to his joining the ministry. Hegde did not protest and agreed to takewhatever was given to him. Said one Hegde supporter: 8220;He doesn8217;t drive a hard bargain like Jayalalitha.8221;

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But Jayalalitha hasn8217;t had it all her way. In the list of portfolios for ministers of state, released this evening, AIADMK8217;s R K Kumar has been given Revenue and Banking 8212; but not with independent charge as Jayalalitha had demanded. Instead, he will have to work under Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha whose clearance will be necessary for all important decisions.

Only four ministers of state have been given independent charge: Dalit Ezhamalai Health and Family Welfare, Maneka Gandhi Welfare, Baba Gowda Patil Rural Development and Dilip Ray Coal.

It8217;s a coup of sorts for Maneka Gandhi, who is only an Independent. On the other hand, four-time BJP MP Ram Naik who was expected to get a Cabinet berth has had to be satisfied with being Minister of State for Railways. A Cabinet minister for the gargantuan Railway Ministry is likely to be appointed after Vajpayee wins the vote ofconfidence.

First day, first quote

YASHWANT SINHA, FINANCE MINISTER: Multinationals have nothing to fear, but we8217;ll define very clearly what priority and non-priority areas are soon.

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SIKANDAR BAKHT, INDUSTRY MINISTER: In consumer goods sector, industry needs protection. Nation8217;s interest lies here.

BUTA SINGH, COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER: There is not much difference between the ideologies of Congress and BJP on the issue of foreign investments.

RAMAKRISHNA HEGDE, COMMERCE MINISTER: Pending issues relating to the current Export-Import policy should be resolved expeditiously

KASHIRAM RANA, TEXTILES MINISTER: We will accord the highest priority for job creation in the textile sector.

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R KUMARAMANGALAM, POWER MINISTER: If an Indian and a foreign firm are on equal footing, we will naturally prefer an Indian firm

NAVIN PATNAIK, STEEL AND MINES MINISTER: We will do whatever is good and healthy for the steel industry.

SURJIT S BARNALA, FOODMINISTER: There is need to change the official minimum support price announced by the Government for cereal procurement. The sugar situation too would be studied and necessary steps taken.

ANANTH KUMAR, CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER: I am like a batsman on a new pitch. Wait and see how I play the game. Punctuality and safety will be given top priority in both the airlines.