The cabinet reshuffle, or somebody called cabinet reconstruction, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come as a rude shock to some and jubilation to others.
The talk of the town in Andhra Pradesh, however, is the change of portfolio of senior minister M Venkaiah Naidu. Modi had stripped him of his Parliamentary Affairs portfolio, but he retained the Urban Development. In addition, he was given the Information and Broadcasting portfolio.
Now, the question is whether it is a demotion or promotion for Venkaiah. Some people say it is a promotion, because I&B Ministry is a very strong portfolio with a lot of powers and opportunity to make big money. He would have a lot of control over media houses.
At the same time, he would have a lot of responsibility to carry out publicity campaign for the government and enhance the image of the Modi government in the next three years. Moreover, Venkaiah has also retained the urban development department, which is also powerful in the wake of smart cities and swachh abhiyan projects.
Another section of people say it is a demotion for Venkaiah, as stripping of Parliamentary Affairs portfolio is an insult to him. This portfolio is very keen as he holds important position in Parliament next only to Modi and he would work strategies to pin down the opposition.
Politically, it is a strong portfolio; so losing it would mean demeaning his stature, say this section of analysts.
