From the memoir: How former Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde managed the Andhra Pradesh bifurcation

As home minister, my style of functioning was different from my predecessors who had served at the North Block during the UPA years. I had an open-door policy and anyone who wanted to could meet me. I also came up with solutions, which created a buzz, in New Delhi’s corridors of power, about me being a good home minister.

P Chidambaram is a highly intelligent man. While he tends to be a little aggressive, he always maintains his relationships with his colleagues and has a bunch of officers loyal to him. Shivraj Patil, too, is a good man, but many people tried to tarnish his image, which is perhaps why he had to leave the home ministry. When Pranab Mukherjee became the President, Chidambaram was made finance minister and the home minister’s seat became vacant, leading to my appointment.

Reflecting on my time in the UPA cabinet in various capacities, I’ve come to realise that serving as a home minister is drastically different from holding other cabinet positions. This is because the home ministry is a critical department where decisions must be made swiftly. Any difficult situation needs to be brought under control as early as possible, and there is no room...

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