The lalit Modi fiasco has dragged in External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in more ways than one. Ms Swaraj represents the old guard of the BJP, which has been sidelined in recent years. There is a younger team taking over, that has far different ideas and priorities. If the current controversy leads to the Minister’s exit (though this seems unlikely at the moment), then Ms Swaraj may just be the latest BJP leader to be added to a growing list of old timers, who are now heading towards their political sunset.
It is no coincidence that Ms Swaraj hasn’t played a high-profile role even as far as her own portfolio is concerned. While the Prime Minister has undertaken several foreign visits, she has largely toiled under the radar. This could well be a pointer towards the deeper politics being played within the BJP and the Government it leads at the Centre. Perhaps, the BJP is determined to update its leadership.