Dynamic Duo: Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar’s Potential Lok Sabha Debut

NEW DELHI, FEB 27: Two of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s most articulate ministers, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, are poised to make their electoral debut in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi hinted at this development on Tuesday, suggesting that the two ministers may contest from Karnataka, although no final decision has been made.

Nirmala Sitharaman, currently serving as the Finance Minister, and S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, have been members of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament, for a considerable period. However, they have not yet faced popular elections.

Joshi, who holds the Coal and Mines portfolio, disclosed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contemplating their electoral debut in the Lok Sabha elections this year. Media reports suggest that Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar are likely to contest the Lok Sabha elections.

Although Nirmala Sitharaman is currently a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka and S Jaishankar represents Gujarat, their Lok Sabha constituencies are yet to be finalized. Sitharaman, who joined the BJP in 2008, served as the national spokesperson of the party until 2014. She became a junior minister after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India. The same year, she became a member of the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh. Sitharaman has also served as the Defence Minister of the country between 2017 and 2019.

On the other hand, S Jaishankar is a career diplomat who served as the Foreign Secretary in 2015. In 2019, he was inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet and was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Over the years, he has gained popularity on social media due to his staunch defense of Indian foreign policy on international forums.

The potential electoral debut of Sitharaman and Jaishankar in the Lok Sabha elections is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape. Both ministers have been instrumental in shaping key policies and initiatives of the Modi government, and their entry into electoral politics is likely to generate significant interest among voters.

As the BJP gears up for the upcoming elections, the inclusion of Sitharaman and Jaishankar in the candidate list could be seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s position in Karnataka and other states. Their extensive experience in governance and diplomacy could also serve as a valuable asset in addressing critical issues facing the country.

The Lok Sabha elections are crucial for the BJP as it seeks to retain power and continue its agenda of development and reforms. The potential candidature of Sitharaman and Jaishankar is expected to energize the party’s campaign and attract support from various sections of society.

BY – KASHISH JAIN