Nirmala Sitharaman missing in action during poll season

Union Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, who has been a regular visitor to Tamil Nadu and has been keenly participating in its politics is not to be seen for a while. This has led to tongues wagging. 

Over last few years the defence minister has emerged as most visible representative of the Central government in the state. She has been regularly visiting Tamil Nadu to explain central schemes, union budget or to fire fight such as contain the fall out of GST. At one point, she was tipped to be the chief ministerial face of the party.

When Gaja storm wrecked havoc Sitaraman was among the first to land up. She reviewed Gaja relief work and visited the affected areas for a first hand information. As a defence minister she could quickly mobilise the uniformed services for relief work. She was also seen arguing the central government’s stand on Jallikattu movement, NEET examinations and Cauvery dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. 

The defence minister maintains a co ordeal relationship with chief minister E Palaniswami. But she had run into controversy with his deputy O Paneerselvam who landed up in Delhi at her office to thank her for a help she had extended. Perhaps embarrassed she rebuffed him and the deputy chief minister had to return without meeting her. 

But in the election season she has been missing from the scene. She was not part of the central team that negotiated an alliance with AIADMK. Instead Piyush Goel was deputed. Although campaign is coming to an end for crucial elections to 39 parliamentary seats and 18 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu today she is no where to be seen. 

This has led to speculations in political circles whether she is being cut to size after her phenomenon growth from being a party spokesperson a few years ago to a senior cabinet minister in charge of powerful defence ministry now. 

According to party insiders Nirmala Sitharaman has been asked to stay put in Delhi to handle election co ordination work at BJP headquarters. Since she is not fighting an election. She along with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has been tasked to handle BJP organisational issues.  

Her presence in Delhi was ensured by the party leadership especially when Jaitley has been traveling for his treatment abroad or attending crucial Fund-Bank meetings in the US.