Eye on UP, PM modi to Reshuffle cabinet tomorrow; Amit Shah to Rejig team too

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 04, 2016:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday is expected to factor in his party the BJP’s political strategy in Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections will be held early next year.

 

Some new ministers will take oath at about 11 am tomorrow, presidential palace Rashtrapati  Bhavan has been informed by the government, and sources said at least two more faces from UP may join the Cabinet.

Among the names being talked about as likely additions to PM Modi’s council of ministers is that of Anupriya Patel, Lok Sabha MP from the BJP’s UP ally Apna Dal.

There is also speculation that Shiv Pratap Shukla, who has been brought by the BJP to the Rajya Sabha from UP in last month’s election, could be made a minister. Mr Shukla is a senior UP leader and a Brahmin, a big votebank in the state that all parties are vying to woo in these elections.

There is also buzz that Purushottam Rupala, a Rajya Sabha member of the BJP from Gujarat and Ajay Tamta, BJP Lok Sabha member from Uttarakhand could be inducted into the cabinet. Anil Desai of the BJP’s sulking ally the Shiv Sena could also be made minister, sources said.  

Changes are expected in some portfolios, but, sources said, there may be no changes in the top four - Home, Finance, Defence and External Affairs. Some ministers like Power Minister Piyush Goel may be in for a promotion.

PM Modi has held long discussions with BJP president Amit Shah over the last month and a half to finalise changes in the cabinet. The two leaders had met last week for over four hours and reportedly discussed changes in the BJP’s organizational structure alongside.

At present, there are 66 ministers at the Centre, including the Prime Minister. The Constitution allows 82.

The Prime Minister has to appoint a new Sports Minister with his party’s Sarbananda Sonowal moving to Assam as Chief Minister.