DHAKA: The BJP leadership made some progress in settling top slots in government with party chief Rajnath Singh tipped to be the home minister while senior leader Arun Jaitley could be the next finance minister.

While a degree of clarity is emerging on ministry formation, the BJP is yet to resolve its dilemma over veteran leader LK Advani as the leader’s apparent inclination to be Lok Sabha Speaker is not finding many takers.

The hunt for a suitably distinguished post for Advani has not met with much success and the party leadership is unclear how to define the saffron elder’s role and work out an arrangement where he can be a mentor.

With Rajnath and Jaitley expected to occupy two key slots in the cabinet committee on security (CCS), PM-designate Narendra Modi is still left with the tough task of filling the two other CCS slots, external affairs and defence.

Sushma Swaraj, who was Leader of Opposition in the 15th Lok Sabha, is keen on a CCS berth, but there are doubts if Modi will be keen to accommodate her.

Though Swaraj is certain to be offered an important portfolio — HRD and health were referred to — her lack of enthusiasm for Modi’s PM candidature may have weakened her claim to a seat at the ministerial highest table.

BDST: 1747 HRS, MAY 20, 2014