Grooming for bigger role

Union Sports Minister Jitender Singh, holding independent charge, has been made minister of state for defence, to get him a foothold in South Block. Reasons are not far to seek. Jitender Singh is a close aide of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and clearly he is being groomed for a larger role. Rahul Gandhi has handpicked Jitender Singh and wants him to be given enough opportunities, so that he can shape up. Defence Minister A K Antony, mentoring Jitender Singh, pulled out from an international event and deputed his junior minister to represent India at the ASEAN Defence Ministers Conference in Brunei.

This gives Jitender Singh exposure and an opportunity to shape up and grow in stature. This was also the way Congress president Sonia Gandhi had groomed M M Pallam Raju. In UPA-I, Pallam Raju was minister of state for defence. In UPA-II, Sonia Gandhi elevated Pallam Raju to cabinet rank and entrusted him with the all-important charge of HRD Ministry. If UPA-III becomes possible, one may see Jitender Singh being similarly elevated to cabinet rank and being entrusted with charge of an important portfolio.