BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has reason to be happy with Ashwini Vaishnaw getting a cabinet berth, that too the crucial railway ministry, besides communications and information technology.
That Vaishnaw enjoys excellent rapport across the political landscape was exhibited in the very circumstances in which he was elected to Rajya Sabha two years ago. Instead of sending someone from the BJD, Naveen had backed Vaishnaw in 2019.
“Given that we had supported him in his election to Rajya Sabha, we think he will be more accommodative to Odisha’s legitimate demands. In him, Odisha might find a central minister who is more sensitive to issues related to lack of railway facilities and tele-density shortage in the state and can help improve the same,” hoped BJD Rajya Sabha member Amar Patnaik, who had entered the upper house during the same time as that of Vaishnaw.
Odisha’s railway density is 16 km per 1000 square km land as against the national average of 22, while the state’s tele-density is 76.15% as against the national average of 88.56%. Odisha, which has been complaining for years about lower allocation in rail facilities and infrastructure, would expect better a deal in the coming budget.
A pragmatic Naveen, who enjoys an excellent working relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would hope to find in Vaishnaw another arch in that bridge. It must be also mentioned that Vaishnaw had played an important role in facilitating a meeting between Naveen and ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the latter’s residence in New Delhi in April 2017.
Hours after Vaishnaw was inducted into the cabinet, Naveen had tweeted congratulating him. “Your vast experience in administration, industry and shining academic credentials will help you serve the people in the best possible way. Wishing you all the very best,” a part of Naveen’s tweet read.
While the IAS officer-turned Union minister may remain grateful to the BJD for supporting him in his election to the Rajya Sabha, he would need more of his professional negotiating skills to tackle important issues like the Centre’s running battle with Twitter while also looking to turn around the fortunes of Indian Railways.
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