BJP to retain control of these 4 prized Cabinet Committee on Security ministries; Here's why it matters

Bhratiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi is set to take the oath of office for a third consecutive term as the Prime Minister of India at 7:15 pm on June 9 at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

There is a lot of interest over who will join Modi’s Cabinet and Council of Ministers. Unlike the past two terms, the BJP does not have an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha and needs to rely on coalition partners to run the government.

Despite the need to keep coalition partners happy by giving them plum portfolios, the BJP has reportedly retained control over several key ministries.

Several media reports suggest that the four critical ministries represented in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) are in the BJP’s kitty. We explain why the CCS is so crucial and the potential reasons why the BJP has maintained its hold on these ministries.

The four crucial ministries

The four ministries that are represented in the CCS are the Ministry of Defence, Home Affairs, Finance, and External Affairs. In Modi’s previous administration, these ministries were led by Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S. Jaishankar, respectively.

Functions of the Cabinet Committee on Security

The CCS is entrusted with the highest responsibility for the nation’s security and strategic interests. Its functions include:

2. Addressing matters concerning national defence

3. Dealing with internal security threats and maintaining law and order

4. Handling foreign policy matters that have security implications, including international security agreements

5. Reviewing and addressing economic and political issues that impact national security

6. Assessing and approving proposals for new posts and structures related to national security

7. Overseeing the acquisition and procurement of security-related equipment and addressing cost overruns or changes in project scope

How BJP benefits by retaining control over CCS

By ensuring that all members of the CCS are from the BJP, the party can maintain tight control over critical national security decisions. This centralized control reduces the risk of internal dissent and ensures that the party’s strategies are implemented without opposition from coalition partners, a vital consideration in India’s fragmented political landscape.

2. Unified national security strategy: With the CCS members all from the BJP, the party can ensure a cohesive approach to national security. This uniformity is essential for quick and effective decision-making in times of crisis.

3. Electoral advantage: The BJP’s focus on national security, defence, and strong governance resonates with its voter base. By controlling key ministries, the party can demonstrate its capability to govern effectively and make swift decisions, which is particularly advantageous in the lead-up to state assembly elections.
   Policy coherence: Control over the CCS ensures consistency in policy execution. This coherence is crucial for implementing large-scale projects and reforms without delays or compromises that often come with coalition governance.

4. Strong leadership image: The BJP, under Modi’s leadership, has emphasized strong and decisive governance. Retaining control over the CCS reinforces this image, portraying the government as stable and capable. This strong leadership image is appealing to both domestic and international audiences.

5. Effective narrative management: Unified control allows the BJP to manage the narrative around national security, economic policies, and foreign relations more effectively. This control is crucial for projecting a strong and decisive leadership image.

6. Minimising policy paralysis: Coalition politics can be unpredictable, with partners having divergent priorities. By keeping the CCS within the BJP, the party minimises the risk of policy paralysis or conflicting interests, ensuring smooth governance.

In a nutshell, retaining the key ministries within the CCS not only strengthens the party’s internal coherence and decision-making capabilities but also enhances its public image and electoral prospects. As Narendra Modi gears up to embark on his third term, albeit dependent on a coalition, the focus on strong and unified leadership is starker than ever.

With inputs from agencies