Modi's RS Picks Reveal New Political Playbook

Some political appointments are meant to signal intent. Others are meant to shape the ecosystem itself. The July 13 nomination of historian Meenakshi Jain, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) veteran C. Sadanandan Master, 26/11 case special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam and former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to the Rajya Sabha, under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, falls squarely in the second category.

The list of nominations reflects how the Narendra Modi government, in its third term, intends to deepen its ideological footprint across the Indian state, beyond the immediacy of elections or the drama of parliamentary floor tests. The four individuals come from all different directions: Jain is from Delhi (North), Shringla's hometown is Darjeeling (East), Nikam is from Mumbai (West) and Sadanandan Master is from Kerala (South).

There is nothing flashy about this group. No big celebrity power, no sentimental choices, no musical legends or Olympic icons. Unlike in 2018-2022, when some Rajya Sabha nominations seemed to be chasing applause-music composer Ilaiyaraaja, sportspersons Mary Kom and P.T. Usha, and others-this round is austere. And that austerity is deliberate. It marks a transition from ornamental symbolism to operational clarity. Modi government 3.0 is no longer showcasing plurality or projecting inclusion. It's focused on consolidation-across institutions, narratives and sectors of strategic influence.