Attari (Amritsar), Mar 22: Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday introduced Arun Jaitley as a future deputy prime minister to people of the border district of Attari during the BJP leader 's first public rally here, in what can potentially raise many hackles in the saffron outfit.
"If voted to power, he will be deputy prime minister or finance minister," Badal said.
While the prophecy appeared to be meant to boost Jaitley's profile in his first Lok Sabha election in which he faces off with former Punjab CM, Congress' Amarinder Singh, the generous introduction can cause many of Jaitley's colleagues to go green with envy.
The well-known lawyer, who handled important portfolios — law , commerce and disinvestmenet — in Vajpayee's government, is sure to get a plum assignment should Narendra Modi lead BJP to power in May. But the sheer idea of his becoming number 2 to Modi can cause heartburn to many senior leaders in the party.
LK Advani had to wait for long before Atal Bihari Vajpayee made him the deputy PM in 2003.
Significantly, Jaitley recently dismissed speculation that he was contesting the Lok Sabha elections as BJP's B-plan in case Narendra Modi is not acceptable to allies as prime minister after the elections.
However, that did not seem to be a deterrent for Badal as he sought to showcase Jaitley's credentials as a Punjabi and the benefits he was likely to bring to the state if NDA assumed office at the Centre. "Jaitley sahib nay Punjabi ma da dudh pita hai (Jaitley was born of a Punjabi mother)," said the Akali patriarch. He went on to emphasize that Jaitley was like "our grandchild" since he spoke chaste Punjabi and was born in Amritsar where his mother hailed from.
Speaking in Punjabi, Jaitley said there was distinct possibility that NDA would form the government and would solve the state's problems. "We need your blessings and we will help you end all of your miseries," he told the audience.
The BJP leader said demands of people of the border area were small compared to the scams exposed in UPA's regime. "What you need is just Rs 500 core or Rs 800 crore whereas there have been scams of Rs 100,000 crore," he said.
He also recalled his meeting with Badal in jail during Emergency when he was put behind bars for 19 months. "Badal sahib gave a jalebi party to all the prisoners," he recalled.
Jaitley an outsider?
The Badal clan has put its weight behind Jaitley after he replaced sitting MP Navjot Singh Sidhu on the Amritsar seat. The former cricketer was removed because of his frequent run-ins with the Badals and Shiromani Akali Dal. The affection showered on him by Badals appeared necessary. But much to the embarrassment of many, less than half of the participants in the rally raised their hands in response to Punjab revenue minister Bikram Majithia's call as to who all knew about Jaitley.
At the beginning of the rally, TOI also asked a few people about Jaitley. "I think some high official is coming from Delhi," said Gurnam Singh, a young resident who came along with his friends in a tractor trolley. Another participant in the rally said Badal was coming to their constituency with some 'new person' who was going to contest elections.
SAD takes charge
Aware that BJP top gun Arun Jaitley will not be able to tour extensively in Amritsar because of his national responsibilities, the Shiromani Akali Dal patron and Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has given responsibility of the campaign to some state ministers and leaders, key among them being Bikram Majithia, Gulzar Singh Ranike and former MLA Veer Singh Lopoke.
He said Jaitley was also entrusted with the task of monitoring the BJP national election campaign besides being election in-charge of few states. "We have to ensure his victory with a great margin so he brings big industries to border areas which will provide immense employment opportunities," he said.
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