Defence Ministry needs stability, it is not a part-time job

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is enjoying its moment of glory, one aspect has received little attention: After 28 months as defence minister, Manohar Parrikar has been rushed to Goa as the chief minister. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who was also the defence minister for the first six months of this government’s term, has been given the “additional” charge yet again. The government should end this short-term solution and appoint a full-fledged minister who knows the intricacies of this crucial portfolio.

Mr Parrikar has had middling success as defence minister. He did much better than the insular approach of