In many ways, Shushma Swaraj’s appointment as the leader of opposition is a good news not only for Advani, the BJP and Swaraj herself, but also for the nation which is facing problems of inflation, corruption and terrorism and so on. While Advani will certainly get a sigh of relief form sharp questioning by the media after the tabling of the report by the commission investigating the Babri Masjid case, he will now have ample time to work along the other veteran BJP and the RSS leaders for the party’s consolidation an prepare it for the next general elections. Also he will be always there to guide Shushma in carrying out her new responsibilities with his immense experience in the Indian politics.

The BJP and the RSS, on the other hand, will always gain from her selection and have nothing to lose from it. Why? If she succeeds as the good opposition leader, during her almost four year tenure, the credit will go to the bosses of the BJP and the RSS [they will take it in any way], because they have selected her. If she utterly fails in her venture, these bosses will have the right to replace her with either Advani, or some other fellow in future. Later they can claim that Shushma have lost golden opportunity. Therefore, the BJP and the RSS have nothing to loose.

Shushma is, in no way, a new political player. She has been around for more than 15 years. She has held the post of the union minister in the Advani government. She has immense political experience and is one of the pillars of her party. However, she has never served on such a major and critical post. Therefore, as her background tells us, she will not loose much time in learning the trick of new trade and, with her performance in this position, she can tell her bosses that she was the right choice. Also by consolidating the party’s trust and rapport with the NDA partners, she can render her party a valuable service. In this way, she can also make her position secure for the future prime minister’s slot, if the BJP returns to the power in the next general elections after defeating the Manmohan Singh government.

But how will the nation gain from her selection as the leader of opposition? Well! The issues of inflation, relations with major players such as the US, China, and Pakistan, corruption in India, terrorism and the latest issue of formation of new states out of the existing states in India, such as Telangana, are some of the major issues that need immediate attention of not only of the government, but also of an active and critical opposition. Because she herself is so active, it is certain that she will prove to be equally active in attending these issues and working out their resolution in a timely manner. Thus, the nation certainly gains from her selection. Now we have to see how best she serves in her new ‘AVATAR’.