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India's finance minister Arun Jaitley takes on defence portfolio as well

The previous defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, stepped down on Sunday to become Chief Minister of Goa

Reuters March 13, 2017

Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley addresses a delegation while speaking on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) issues during the Vibrant Gujarat investor summit in Gandhinagar, India January 11, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has also been appointed defence minister, the office of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee tweeted on Monday, after he held such a dual role in 2014.

The previous defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, stepped down on Sunday to become Chief Minister of Goa.

Election results on Saturday showed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to be the second most popular party in the coastal state, but it will form the regional government after obtaining the support of smaller parties.

Modi's party claims victory in India's Uttar Pradesh and three other states

The BJP, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, swept polls in the key northern state of Uttar Pradesh, as well as the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.

Jaitley held the posts of finance and defence minister from May to November 2014. It was not immediately clear how long he would keep the two portfolios this time round.

COMMENTS (1)

An Indian | 7 years ago | Reply Terrible decision. Manohar Parrikar was a great Defense Minister. Undertook many reforms to ensure defense products are manufactured locally. For him to leave his portfolio at such a critical juncture and go back to rule a tiny state doesn't make any sense at all.

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