Swamy’s suggestion to Modi on empowering Gadkari has deeper political connotations

He is a rare breed of politicians, among those very few leaders who don’t mince words and generally render stinging advice to their own party bosses that often leaves the leadership uncomfortable and red-faced. The BJP’s Subramanian Swamy is not exactly famous for toeing the party’s line and, true to his image of taking on even the Government if needed, he has recently stated that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) cannot be relied upon in the war on the pandemic. Going a step further, he also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make Union Minister Nitin Gadkari the incharge of COVID-19 management. The decision, of course, rests with the Government but Swamy’s statements have deeper political connotation. Though the Centre is now seen making all-out efforts to rein in the pandemic, it cannot be denied that the contagion is far from tamed and that the country was caught totally unprepared when the second wave of COVID-19, far more virulent and ferocious than the first, hit us. Our healthcare and related infrastructure is creaking under its killing weight due to the acute shortage of medical oxygen, hospital beds, essential medicines and so on. No doubt, the image of the Government and the Prime Minister has taken a beating among the masses. With Modi being the sole face the BJP banks upon, the party doesn’t want to run the risk of the citizenry relating his persona to their plight in the ensuing polls.

Being a seasoned politician, Swamy seems to feel that under the persisting circumstances Modi’s face might not augur well for the party’s poll prospects, as has been proved by the recent Assembly poll results, and hence it’s necessary to project someone else with an independent face value and credibility, such as Gadkari. Obviously, the innate message Swami wants to project is that the BJP is not only about Modi and that there are others who can be relied upon in this hour of crisis. The veteran leader wants to convey that the party is bigger than the PM or the PMO. The assertion that the PMO is “useless” also indicates that Modi is listening too much to the advice of his close courtiers, including top bureaucrats, which might not always be sane and in the larger interest of the party. Perhaps, Swamy wants Modi to rely more on his own wisdom and that of the party stalwarts during these trying times rather than depending upon the bureaucrats and other yes-men who dare not differ with him. The utterances might be a signal to the Prime Minister that it’s time to revisit the strategies for tackling the pandemic and give more responsibility to leaders like Gadkari, who are good in management and planning. The nation has expressed confidence in Modi’s leadership for two consecutive terms and we expect him to do whatever is imperative to save us from the raging contagion. As of now, successfully defeating the accursed virus is about the only thing that will brighten his prospects and that of the BJP’s for a third term.