Cabinet reshuffle is on cards. This will coincide with election of new BJP president. This also means organisational restructure in the party ... a virtual overhauling.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a reputation of being ruthless and his cabinet reshuffle in 2021 had ensured exit of talkative and less-performing ministers such as Prakash Javadekar and Ravi Shankar Prasad.
In all likelihood, the Prime Minister will be again ruthless and very specific. The famous Namo Mantra -- Perform or Perish will prevail as an underlining theme.
Hence, some ministers including "senior ones" and well connected to the Sangh leadership may have to move out. New BJP president will be elected by the third week of April and by May end or June beginning the cabinet may be reshuffled.
Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister for the third time in a row on June 9th.
So the possible changes in the cabinet is also likely by June 8th or 9th.
As a Prime Minister, Modi's popularity might have lost some of its sheen. But last 10 months he has proved that he need not have numbers; he may be dependent on allies -- but he will not compromise.
Nor the Prime Minister will give up his governance agenda(s). The just passage of high volatile Waqf Bill is the unique illustration.
This move of the Modi government ensured NDA unity as JD-U and TDP -- often labeled as vulnerable Sickular players - stuck with the government. Moreover in the Rajya Sabha, the YSRCP and Biju Janata Dal MPs also backed the draft legislation which is going to leave a long term impact.
Team Modi has been also successful in leaving the opposition camp in disarray. Three well known stalwarts of Congress party - Sonia Gandhi, Rahul and Priyanka did not speak on the Bill -- which was always considered as a vital piece of legislation for Muslims.
This is also the time when the BJP has decided to focus on organisational growth both in terms of numbers, that is capturing the states and also penetrating different social groups.
The Waqf Bill like the Triple Talaq law will motivate a section of Muslim women to prefer BJP as against some parties like Samajwadi Party.
More interestingly Catholic Christians in Kerala may find the bargain suiting their long term interest.
Hence the ensuing organisational restructure and cabinet reshuffle will take into consideration all these factors. That make Modi even more important for his leadership to reach out to sections - those who stayed away from the saffron party - to deliver on the promise of Acchey Din.
The priorities being given for matters in Manipur must also be understood from this perspective.
In terms of geographical expansion; the party is eyeing a mega electoral success in West Bengal in 2026 and thus all roads in next few months could lead to Kolkata.
In 2024 the mission 'eastern expansion' was immensely successful as the Lotus party could outshine a popular regional party leader Naveen Patnaik and now the party has its own Chief Minister there.
The coming election in Bihar will be important as also Assam where new dynamics are coming into play as Himanta Biswa Sarma has to brave through the challenge of 10-year incumbency.
Is it possible that Himanta be given some responsibilities in the party organisation?
Modi understands the political significance of the fact that his party is in power in Gujarat since mid-nineties. So there is a saturation point. Such problems may come up even for Uttar Pradesh as Yogi government will complete 10 years in office in 2027.
The cabinet reshuffle and restructuring of the party will also involve some roles for Yogi Adityanath. But it may be too early and even erroneous to suggest that Yogi will step aside in Lucknow and move to New Delhi as Defence or Highways Minister.
But overhauling is expected. Because in June 2024, Modi carried out his cabinet swearing in hurriedly because he had number problems and he wanted to disallow rumour mongering to persists.
To keep a lasting legacy of his Modi 3.0 regime; PM Modi may opt for a new Finance Minister. It could be a former bureaucrat yet again and Nirmala Sitharaman may be made BJP's face for Tamil Nadu or given any other responsibility.
No comments:
Post a Comment