Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet meeting has gained political significance amid growing speculation over a possible ministry expansion and reshuffle in the Modi 3.0 government.
Discussions around a reshuffle and expansion were intensifying and that changes in the Union Council of Ministers could take place in June. The leadership was obviously reviewing the performance of ministries and organisational functioning ahead of any possible exercise.
Modi may like to have more women ministers handling key portfolios. Nirmala Sitharaman, now Finance Minister, has handled Defence ministry in Modi 1.0.
Whether size of the ministry will be brought down as part of austerity measures also remains to be seen. At present the Modi ministry comprises 30 ministers, 36 ministers of state (MoS), and 5 MoS with independent charges.
Speculation is also rife about BJP's plans for Punjab polls due by March 2027. From northeast, whether former Manipur CM N Biren Singh will be brought to Delhi remains to be seen even as the new chief minister in the state Y Khemchand has not able to bring things under control in that violence-hit state. Manipur is also scheduled to go for polls in March 2027 along with UP, Goa, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
The focus is on the idea of rewarding prominent entrants from rival camps with ministerial positions. Among the names circulating is former AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who joined the BJP along with a team of MPs giving a number booster to the NDA in the Upper House.
The Prime Minister Modi is expected to review the evolving situation. The government has already constituted a high-powered informal group of ministers led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to monitor the crisis and suggest measures to shield India from disruptions. Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and Hardeep Singh Puri are part of the group. The portfolios of Ms Sitharaman and Hardeep Singh Puri make it clear which are the sectors of real and grave concern due to ongoing Iran war.
Rajnath Singh recently said the government was maintaining “round-the-clock monitoring” of the situation.
“Whether it is crude oil, energy, or LPG even today, we have enough stocks. There is no particular problem,” Singh had said.
The Union ministry reshuffle may take place after the party leadership takes its decisions on Rajya Sabha nominees besides clearing various appointments for organisation and government.
Reportedly, Home Minister Amit Shah has held one round discussions with several BJP chief ministers.
On Wednesday, senior leaders of the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Assam units joined such appointment-related discussions at the party’s national headquarters in Delhi. Crucial cabinet expansion is awaited in Assam and West Bengal.
The leadership is set to give a thrust on an internal overhaul under Nitin Nabin as its new national president. Several Rajya Sabha candidates are being identified for elevation.
In the run-up to the Upper House elections’ notification, expected in June when the first set of vacancies will arise, the BJP is engaged in the process of restructuring its organisation.
New state presidents may be appointed Delhi, Haryana, Tripura, Punjab and Karnataka.
There may be new appointments a minor reshuffle of Governors. R N Ravi was brought in as West Bengal Governor prior to state assembly elections. Now, with a strong BJP government in power; Ravi may not have much to do in Kolkata's Lok Bhavan, analysts feel.
A senior BJP leader said both organisational credentials and public appeal are likely to play a significant role in selecting the party’s Rajya Sabha candidates that may land some of them in the Union ministry too.
“The names of several key NDA leaders with proven popularity among the people are figuring in internal party discussions regarding inclusion in the Union Cabinet through the Upper House. These include a popular BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, who could be elevated through Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka, former CMs of BJP and NDA-ruled states, as well as senior leaders currently serving in gubernatorial roles,” the BJP leader said.
As per procedure, sources said state party units are deliberating on prospective candidates for the Rajya Sabha against vacancies that will come up in the coming months during this year.
“The respective State Election Committees will forward them to the Central Election Committee for further consideration in time for the notification of elections to the Rajya Sabha, which is expected soon. Several criteria, especially caste and gender balance, are being considered,” a source said.
A BJP leader stressed that the party’s Rajya Sabha picks for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka would especially require the party to effect a delicate balancing act between its political interests in both states and those of its allies at the Centre.
“A seat-sharing formula is being worked on to ensure a balance between the respective political ambitions of the BJP and Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) as well as the Pawan Kalyan-led JanaSena Party in Andhra Pradesh; similarly, this equation needs to be balanced with the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka,” the leader said, (Indian Express)
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