The ideal scenario imo would be, if the PM keeps a check on the bureaucracy, since that is a widespread problem in the government and not specific to the MoD only, but at the same time he should be keep using is PR advantage to keep boosting the moral of the forces. That's 2 areas where he actually did well wrt defence and that is beneficial for the country.
However, he clearly can't seperate his party politics or overall agenda with the need of the defence forces and that's where a new DM should take control. Guiding the MoD under his own policy, in coordination with the 3 Chiefs and with the best for the forces in mind. Just as the DM should be responsible for defence procurements or dealing with defence industry, again with the priority to get the best outcome for the forces, not the ecomony.
modi's need to keep tab on Defence ministry is undisputed . It is no doubt that he has faired well as far as PR ship is concerned .
frankly speaking Modi has been damn lucky on several accounts . The public sentiment remains with him but it is largely influenced by the great atmospherics created by monumental achievements like MOM,Agni, Nirbhay of which he has been beneficiary by default . On economic front the mere sentiment helped him and economy largely add to that the unprecedented fall in oil prices which has come as shot in the arm. Only front where modi demonstrated some boldness was on diplomacy turf which also paid off beyond expectations . Even Rain god showered mercy on Modi government and fears of rain short fall in first half were erased by the second half of monsoon.
so he has dome well so far with his powerful oratory and PR ship and some well founded luck . But the goodwill will ebb sooner or late and you can't be lucky all the timer . and he must hit the ground to move the bureaucracy which he has done . but it will depend on the tangible results that can be demonstrated .
He will continue to ride on positive sentiment generated for some time . but as it is said " you can fool all the people some time and some people all the time but not all the people all the time .
It takes no time for public sentiment to change . so modi has to move beyond words and translate rhetoric into action .
I guess his eyes must be on second term - but for the massive mandate he received, the expectations are also expectedly huge . so as modi goes juggling party and ruling politics into statecraft , he must perform up to people's expectations .
For his government to do well his all colleagues must work hard enough . and he needs team of honest, sincere colleagues to do that . If modi can't find a suitable person to run ministry as big and as important as Defence then it is rather sad .
so is it that modi is looking for able yes-man who can realize his vision ?
There is reason why in natural course of evolution - division of labour and hierarchy of power is established .
and there are reasons why collective decision making is better . one of the best by product of communism .
" all of us together are better than each individual of us "
in that sense it makes sense that modi has loyal yet independent defence minister if the collective leadership of his government is to succeed .
Unitarian rule through proxies who are totally subservient to him is not good in long run . although it may feel and seem the best in short run . Unitarian systems are unable to correct themselves even if they are efficient .and therefore if at all they commit blunders which are unavoidable they will go unchecked .
If Parrikar is offered and accepts the post of RM, you can be sure that an "unsaid" agreement will be in place. Not much interference ! No one leaves the job of a serving Chief Minister to be anyone's gofer. No point in comparing Sushma Swaraj's position with Parrikar. External affairs is always an interest of the PMO and everyone has to play second fiddle there. More so someone like Sushma Swaraj who has now been reduced to a political lightweight, just like Rajnath Singh. Jaitley, for all his seeming powerful is a political lightweight & has power only due to his proximity with Modi. Parrikar will be defacto number 2 in any Modi cabinet.
agree with your comment about Rajnath , Jaitley being political lightweights . shrewd people like modi can't have no 2 in their vicinity and if at all they have no 2 in vicinity then it is for obvious reasons to keep them no. 2 .
and for that reason I believe Manohar parrikar is unlikely to find place in Modi cabinet .