New Faces Expected in Union Cabinet, Organisational Overhaul on Cards; Key Ministers May Get Party Responsibilities
New Delhi, June 29 :
In what is being seen as a significant political and organisational exercise, the Union Government is likely to carry out a major reshuffle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Council of Ministers ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also expected to unveil its new organisational team under party president Nitin Nabin, highly placed sources said.
According to sources, the Cabinet reshuffle and the announcement of the BJP’s new organisational structure are expected to be synchronised as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening both the Government and the party ahead of crucial political challenges and Assembly elections.
The proposed exercise is expected to bring several new faces into the Union Council of Ministers, while some existing ministers may be shifted to key organisational roles within the BJP. At the same time, a number of senior party functionaries are likely to be inducted into the Union Cabinet.
Sources said consultations have intensified over the past week, with BJP president Nitin Nabin holding discussions with several Union Ministers of State. The party is also expected to entrust younger leaders with significant organisational responsibilities as part of its restructuring drive.
Political circles are witnessing heightened speculation over possible changes in ministerial portfolios. The position of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is reportedly under review following controversies surrounding the alleged NEET paper leak and concerns over the CBSE digital evaluation system.
The reshuffle is expected to take place sometime in July before the commencement of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, likely to begin in the third week of the month. However, the final schedule will depend on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official engagements and foreign visits.
Sources further said the exercise will factor in regional representation, caste equations, electoral strategy and organisational requirements, particularly in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab next year.
Union Ministers Pankaj Chaudhary and Harsh Malhotra, who have recently been assigned major organisational responsibilities in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi respectively, are likely to relinquish their ministerial positions in keeping with the BJP’s “one man, one post” policy.
Meanwhile, Union Minister George Kurian has already resigned following the completion of his Rajya Sabha tenure, while Ravneet Singh Bittu, whose Rajya Sabha term has also ended, is expected to focus on strengthening the BJP’s campaign for the forthcoming Punjab Assembly elections.
Following the BJP’s improved electoral performance in West Bengal, several Members of Parliament from the state are reportedly under consideration for induction into the Union Cabinet. Leaders who have recently joined the NDA from other political parties may also find a place in the Ministry, subject to legal and parliamentary developments.
Speculation over the reshuffle gathered momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 23, followed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s meeting with the President on June 25. Although both meetings were officially described as courtesy calls, political observers believe discussions related to the proposed Cabinet reshuffle may have taken place.
Sources also indicated that some ministers who may be dropped from the Union Council of Ministers could be considered for gubernatorial assignments, with the tenures of Governors in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand nearing completion.
Despite mounting speculation, there has been no official confirmation regarding the reshuffle. Sources maintained that Prime Minister Modi is known for maintaining complete secrecy over major political decisions, and the final composition of the new Council of Ministers will become clear only after an official announcement. (KNC)