BJP and Its Penchant for Finance Ministry in Coalition Governments

Patna: As the junior partner in the Bihar government, the BJP has been rewarded with 12 berths. But, most importantly, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi has managed to bag the finance portfolio, which was with the RJD till a few days ago.

Going by the emerging trend, the BJP gets to keep the all-important finance portfolio whenever the saffron party is in an alliance government.

For instance, in Maharashtra, where the BJP shares power with the Shiv Sena, the former is at the helm of the finance ministry. BJP’s Sudhir Mungantiwar is the current finance minister in the Maharashtra government.

In Goa, where the BJP shares power with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), the finance portfolio is again firmly in its grip. Goa chief minister Manohar Parikkar holds the finance portfolio in the state government.

Similarly, in Assam, where the BJP is in coalition with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), the finance minister is from the saffron party. BJP’s Himanta Biswa Sarma, a Congress renegade, is the present finance minister in the Assam government.

Similarly, in Jharkhand, where the BJP shares power with the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), chief minister Raghubar Das is in-charge of the finance portfolio.

While, in Uttar Pradesh, Rajesh Aggarwal of the BJP is the finance minister. The BJP has two allies - Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) and Apna Dal (AD)—in Uttar Pradesh.

However, Jammu & Kashmir is an exception, where the BJP shares power with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In the present cabinet, the finance minister is PDP’s Haseeb Drabu.

But, BJP’s Ajay Nanda holds the minister of state (finance) portfolio in a bid seen as keeping the PDP, the junior alliance partner, in the conflict-hit border state under check.

Perhaps, Manipur is the only state where the BJP was generous enough to allow the alliance partner, the National People’s Party (NPP), have a say in the finance ministry. NPP’s Y. Joykumar currently holds the finance portfolio in the north-eastern state.

BJP’s writ over finance ministry looms large

Bihar: Sushil Modi (BJP)

Maharashtra: Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP)

Goa: Manohar Parikkar (BJP)

Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma (BJP)

J&K: Haseeb Drabu (PDP) and Ajay Nanda (BJP)

Jharkhand: Raghubar Das (BJP)

UP: Rajesh Aggarwal (BJP)

Manipur: Y. Joykumar (NPP)