Piyush Goyal out of the race?

CHARTERED accountant-turned-politician Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is one of the smartest ministers in the Narendra Modi cabinet. Modi also has high expectations from him irrespective of his alleged financial aberrations. He has recently been very active and played an important role in the UP Rajya Sabha elections. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also impressed by his working style. Goyal is close to ailing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Many in the BJP’s ruling clique had thought that in Jaitley’s absence, charge of the Finance Ministry would be given to Piyush Goyal. But everything is never as it seems. Before the move could materialise, it was reported by a news website that Goyal is allegedly connected with Mumbai-based laminates maker Shirdi Industries which has defaulted on Rs. 650 crore. The timing of the news was important. Sources disclosed that a newly nominated Rajya Sabha member hinted of the scam to the news website. It’s also disclosed that the said Rajya Sabha member desires to be the new Finance Minister, a dream which he has nurtured for the last two years. Modi seems unfazed by the turn of events but the buzz is that Modi will keep the Finance Ministry himself and will manage with efficient officials of the ministry. Goyal for the time being is out of the race.