The anxiety was palpable in the faces and voices of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Monday. Some were busy accepting congratulatory messages and even discussing the portfolio they were likely to be offered. There were also others who were crestfallen. The media had discussed their names as possible inclusions in the expansion of the council of ministers.
But BJP President Amit Shah didn't ask them to meet him. There were others, not being considered in the race, but upset that a rival was about to get a ministerial berth. All of these reactions, however, were based little on first-hand information but more on speculation in the media about the possible inductees.
There were also those who were sitting tight with their lips sealed. These were the kinds whose names have not been speculated about either on television or print media reports. They hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conjure up a surprise, unpleasant for others and a pleasant one for them.
