Post by Aquinas on May 11, 2019 2:38:42 GMT
March 2020
Vascani reshuffles the Cabinet as succession speculation mounts
Since the General Election, President Amit Vascani has been lobbied by the different factions within the National Party to reshuffle the Cabinet in their favour. Vascani, a man famous for stubborn indecisiveness, hesitated for nearly 3 months, refusing to offer any indication over whether he was planning to take the party - and the country - in one direction or the other. Now, at least, he finally appears to have laid at least some of his cards on the table. The Cabinet has been reshuffled, and although the changes are modest, they offer a glimpse in to what the new state of political play may be.
The major change is that Arun Upadhyay, a respected former chief executive of the Kalkali Oil Company and a leading figure in the faction of the party which supports economic liberalisation, has been appointed Finance Minister and granted the honorific title of Deputy President.
On the face of it, this might seem an indication Vascani is determined to dismantle the "Licence Raj" and has anointed Upadhyay as his successor. However, those closest to the President have been discreetly briefing the media that this may, in fact, not necessarily be the case. When one examines the other appointments, one begins to appreciate their point.
For a start, the President's 67 year old younger brother, Rajendra Vascani - who adheres rigidly to the National Party's historic legacy of centralised economic planning - retains his position as Minister of Trade and Industry. That leaves him in a strong position to try to frustrate Upadhyay's reforming agenda, and it seems practically inevitable that these two strong-willed men will be battling it out with each other across the Cabinet table. Most of Rajendra Vascani's traditionalist allies in the Cabinet and also lower down the government have also retained their positions, and this likely means Upadhyay will face an uphill task in trying to push through his reforms. Especially if, as most insiders predict, President Amit Vascani himself does not prove to be an enthusiastic supporter of them.
It is far from clear, either, that Upadhyay is a shoo-in for the succession when the current President resigns, dies or is forced out. The President's 41 year old son, Vijay Vascani, has been parachuted in as Infrastructure Minister. Vijay is a friend of Upadhyay, and like him is from the reformist wing of the party. However, he could also very easily emerge as a leadership rival. For years, now, commentators have been speculating the President is grooming his son for the succession, and his decision to elevate him to the Cabinet at this precise moment may be an indication that this is in fact what is happening.
Upadhyay is not the only one whose Presidential ambitions risk being thwarted by the elevation of Vijay Vascani. Rajendra Vascani, the President's ambitious brother, is said to be unhappy about the promotion of his nephew, feeling he himself should be the undisputed standard-bearer for the Vascani dynasty when the succession contest opens. The President seems to have anticipated this, and as a way of partially placating his brother, has promoted his brother's 26 year old son - Arjuna Vascani - to the position of Agriculture Minister. However, this could prove a mixed blessing for Rajendra, as Arjuna has a reputation for a party boy lifestyle, and his escapades may end up embarrassing not only himself, but his father as well.
In terms of National Party politics, another important figure not to forget is Rahul Phadatare, the husband of the President's daughter Indira, who began his political career as a close ally and protege of the President, but has drifted away from him over the years, largely due to his increasingly hardline Gerajan views. Phadatare is the standard-bearer in the party for those who resent "minority privilege" and support populist positions on emotive Gerajan-related issues, such as the demand to ban cow slaughter and the sale of beef.
Last but not least, Kareena Vascani, the President's charming 60 year old wife, is not a figure to be discounted either. She is so near to the centre of power that many consider her a Cabinet Minister in all but name, and she has a reputation as a skilled political operator and social net-worker. Those close to her say she would be reluctant to push herself forward as a successor to her husband, but she is the favoured candidate of several ministers in the Cabinet. She might be persuaded to run just in order to keep the Presidential seat warm for her son, Vijay, who some feel is not quite yet ready for the highest office in the land.
Vascani reshuffles the Cabinet as succession speculation mounts
Since the General Election, President Amit Vascani has been lobbied by the different factions within the National Party to reshuffle the Cabinet in their favour. Vascani, a man famous for stubborn indecisiveness, hesitated for nearly 3 months, refusing to offer any indication over whether he was planning to take the party - and the country - in one direction or the other. Now, at least, he finally appears to have laid at least some of his cards on the table. The Cabinet has been reshuffled, and although the changes are modest, they offer a glimpse in to what the new state of political play may be.
The major change is that Arun Upadhyay, a respected former chief executive of the Kalkali Oil Company and a leading figure in the faction of the party which supports economic liberalisation, has been appointed Finance Minister and granted the honorific title of Deputy President.
On the face of it, this might seem an indication Vascani is determined to dismantle the "Licence Raj" and has anointed Upadhyay as his successor. However, those closest to the President have been discreetly briefing the media that this may, in fact, not necessarily be the case. When one examines the other appointments, one begins to appreciate their point.
For a start, the President's 67 year old younger brother, Rajendra Vascani - who adheres rigidly to the National Party's historic legacy of centralised economic planning - retains his position as Minister of Trade and Industry. That leaves him in a strong position to try to frustrate Upadhyay's reforming agenda, and it seems practically inevitable that these two strong-willed men will be battling it out with each other across the Cabinet table. Most of Rajendra Vascani's traditionalist allies in the Cabinet and also lower down the government have also retained their positions, and this likely means Upadhyay will face an uphill task in trying to push through his reforms. Especially if, as most insiders predict, President Amit Vascani himself does not prove to be an enthusiastic supporter of them.
It is far from clear, either, that Upadhyay is a shoo-in for the succession when the current President resigns, dies or is forced out. The President's 41 year old son, Vijay Vascani, has been parachuted in as Infrastructure Minister. Vijay is a friend of Upadhyay, and like him is from the reformist wing of the party. However, he could also very easily emerge as a leadership rival. For years, now, commentators have been speculating the President is grooming his son for the succession, and his decision to elevate him to the Cabinet at this precise moment may be an indication that this is in fact what is happening.
Upadhyay is not the only one whose Presidential ambitions risk being thwarted by the elevation of Vijay Vascani. Rajendra Vascani, the President's ambitious brother, is said to be unhappy about the promotion of his nephew, feeling he himself should be the undisputed standard-bearer for the Vascani dynasty when the succession contest opens. The President seems to have anticipated this, and as a way of partially placating his brother, has promoted his brother's 26 year old son - Arjuna Vascani - to the position of Agriculture Minister. However, this could prove a mixed blessing for Rajendra, as Arjuna has a reputation for a party boy lifestyle, and his escapades may end up embarrassing not only himself, but his father as well.
In terms of National Party politics, another important figure not to forget is Rahul Phadatare, the husband of the President's daughter Indira, who began his political career as a close ally and protege of the President, but has drifted away from him over the years, largely due to his increasingly hardline Gerajan views. Phadatare is the standard-bearer in the party for those who resent "minority privilege" and support populist positions on emotive Gerajan-related issues, such as the demand to ban cow slaughter and the sale of beef.
Last but not least, Kareena Vascani, the President's charming 60 year old wife, is not a figure to be discounted either. She is so near to the centre of power that many consider her a Cabinet Minister in all but name, and she has a reputation as a skilled political operator and social net-worker. Those close to her say she would be reluctant to push herself forward as a successor to her husband, but she is the favoured candidate of several ministers in the Cabinet. She might be persuaded to run just in order to keep the Presidential seat warm for her son, Vijay, who some feel is not quite yet ready for the highest office in the land.