(Image source from: Narendra Modi to have a compact)

What is keeping the soon-to-be sworn-in Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, busy these days?

Apparently, Mr. Modi, who is currently lodged at Gujarat Bhawan in New Delhi, is spending much of his time screening the CVs of NDA parliamentarians to cherry pick the choicest candidates for his “taint-free Cabinet”.

Assisted by a team of experts, Modi is scrutinizing the background of each potential candidate as well as probing into their business interests to ensure that his Council of Ministers is bereft of corruption.

Riding high on the wave of good governance and all-round development, BJP zoomed into power under the able leadership of Modi by cinching a record 282 seats in the Parliament. Now, Modi is going all out to keep his word by involving himself into the nitty-gritty of government formation.

With just two more days to go for the swearing-in ceremony, the government formation exercise is reaching a crescendo now with the BJP allies intensely lobbying for key Cabinet portfolios. 

It's being speculated that Modi might induct some talented technocrats to his cabinet. Modi and his team have carefully studied the governance models of several countries and has reached to the conclusion that his Cabinet would include no more than 50 members — 20 cabinet ministers and 30 ministers of state. The UPA had 72  ministers.

Most likely, one Cabinet minister will be put in charge of a super-ministry with several junior ministers  looking after different aspects of it. Doing so will also lower the unnecessary government expenditure.

Modi has hinted from day one that he alone would decide the portfolio allocation and that his colleagues and the Sangh Parivar would at best be approached for suggestions and consultations.

Although  BJP won by a majority in the Lok Sabha, as many as 11 party allies sailed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to clinch 336 seats win in the Lok Sabha elections 2014.  And now, the NDA allies like Shiv Sena and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) are vying for their share of the victory pie in Modi's Cabinet.

Though the partners are aware that Modi wants to keep his ministry small, in keeping with his motto of "less government, more governance", they are demanding a better deal for themselves, sources reveal.

While the queues of visitors at Gujarat Bhawan continues to grow, a party insider says that Modi has made it clear that lobbyists, whether from within the BJP or outside, will not be entertained.

There is a strict order that parliamentarians or any influential lobbyist should not be allowed inside Gujarat Bhavan, save for the  party leaders and government officials summoned by Modi.

Several MPs were turned away from the gate of Gujarat Bhawan after they arrived without seeking a prior appointment When they sought one, there was no response.

With Narendra Modi forming his 'sarkaar' with great care and computation, we hope to see some able leaders take up key portfolios in the days to come.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury