New Delhi:
Meet Milind Deora. Jazz guitarist. 34. New Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology.
On his first day as minister, the South Mumbai MP made it clear he was not a replacement hire - Deora for Deora. "I don't buy the theory that I am my father's replacement. He has had 43 years in public and he's still a Parliamentarian...I have been an MP for 7 years...and I am thankful to the party."
Milind's father, Murli Deora, resigned from his post of Minister for Corporate Affairs last week, saying he was too old and wanted to serve the Congress party instead. There was much speculation then that his son, also an MP would be made a minister.
The younger Mr Deora walked into a new assignment that his predecessor and another Mumbai Congressman, Gurudas Kamat, vacated in a huff. Kamat sent in his resignation yesterday after learning that he had not been elevated to Cabinet rank but only to Minister of State with Independent Charge in the latest reshuffle.
The politically correct Mr Deora refused comment when asked about his senior's rebellion. "How can I say whether he deserved Cabinet or not? Ultimately these things are left to the PM and Mrs Gandhi."
He also said about Mr Kamat, "I am happy to fill in his shoes...he has been a four-or-five-term MP from Mumbai...I have had very cordial relations with him. He has done a commendable job."