Modi Cabinet Reshuffle Likely Before Monsoon Session: Who Could Stay, Who May Be Out?
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Cabinet reshuffle buzz grows, with changes reportedly likely before the Monsoon Session as several ministers and portfolios come under review.
By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, June 28: The Narendra Modi government could be heading for its first major Cabinet reshuffle since returning to power, with the exercise likely to take place before the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
While there has been no official confirmation from the government or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), discussions are reportedly underway and a reshuffle could happen sometime in July, possibly before Parliament convenes in the third week of the month.
BJP Organisation and Cabinet Changes May Go Together
The Cabinet reshuffle is expected to coincide with the announcement of a new BJP organisational team under party president Nitin Nabin.
The BJP leadership is believed to have finalised the list of office-bearers, with several younger leaders likely to be given key responsibilities in the party organisation.
Ministers May Swap Government, Party Roles
Some Union ministers could be moved out of the government and assigned organisational responsibilities within the BJP. At the same time, some party office-bearers may be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers.
Portfolio changes for existing ministers are also said to be under consideration.
Dharmendra Pradhan's Future Under Watch
The future of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains uncertain.
His ministry has faced criticism over several issues, including the NEET paper leak controversy and allegations of irregularities in the CBSE digital marking system. However, no decision regarding his position has been announced.
PM Modi's Busy Schedule May Decide Timing
The exact timing of the reshuffle is expected to depend on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's schedule.
The Prime Minister is currently on a three-day visit to Seychelles and is also expected to travel to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand in early July. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is also scheduled to visit India during the same period.
The final date for the reshuffle would likely be fixed keeping these engagements in mind.
Political Balance May Shape New Cabinet
The BJP leadership is also looking at political and electoral considerations while planning the reshuffle.
The party is expected to ensure regional and caste balance, while rewarding loyal leaders ahead of Assembly elections due next year in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
These states may receive greater representation in the Union Cabinet, according to PTI, citing sources familiar with the developments
Ministers Likely to Exit
Union ministers Pankaj Chaudhary and Harsh Malhotra have already been assigned major organisational responsibilities in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi respectively.
Since the BJP generally follows its "one person, one post" principle, both leaders may have to step down from the Council of Ministers.
Meanwhile, Union minister George Kurian has reportedly resigned after not being re-elected to the Rajya Sabha, while Ravneet Singh Bittu, whose Rajya Sabha term has also ended, continues in the Cabinet. According to PTI, he has been asked to focus on the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.
New Faces Could Join Cabinet
Several new faces could find a place in the Modi government.
Following the BJP's strong performance in West Bengal, some MPs from the state may be considered for ministerial positions.
The PTI report also claimed that leaders from recently formed political groups comprising former Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, as well as some Rajya Sabha MPs who left the Aam Aadmi Party to join the BJP, could be inducted.
However, any decision involving former TMC or Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs would depend on pending rulings related to anti-defection proceedings.
Governors' Posts Also Under Discussion?
Some ministers who may be dropped from the Cabinet could be appointed as governors. The terms of Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, and Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd.) are set to end in the coming months, potentially creating vacancies.
Speculation Grew After PM, Amit Shah Met President
The reshuffle buzz gained momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu on June 23, followed by a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the President on June 25.
While officials described both meetings as routine courtesy calls, PTI sources believe the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle may have been discussed.
For now, however, there has been no official confirmation from either the government or the BJP. Prime Minister Modi is known to keep major political decisions closely guarded until the final moment, meaning the actual shape of the reshuffle will become clear only after an official announcement.
