Prime Minister Mr. Modi, has unveiled his plans, to reshuffle cabinet, after the Parliament Session, that concludes on April 12.
Despite speculations, Railway Minister, Mr. Suresh Prabhu, will not be moved to Defence. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had been holding the additional charge of this important portfolio, after former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar moved to Goa. Mr. Parrikar is in charge of the coastal state.
It may be recalled that, Mr Jaitley was given the additional charge of Defence, after the BJP’s victory in the 2014 general elections. But due to heavy workload, Mr. Parrikar, the then Chief Minister of Goa, was brought in.
Further, the Government, is seeing for options of bringing in a new face, as the Defence Minister.
Minister of state (independent charge), Telecommunications, Manoj Sinha, who was stumbled by Yogi Adityanath, in the race for the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, could be given a full Cabinet rank.
If Sinha is promoted, then the Government would bring in another Member of Parliament, as Minister of State for Railways.
The minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Kalraj Mishra, is expected to be appointed as the Governor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to introduce a representative from the hill state, Uttarkhand, in his Cabinet, following the BJP’s stupendous victory in the State.
Additionally, there is also a strong possibility of moving, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to the Centre. A section in the party, felt that Vasundhara could be considered to replace External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj.
Though, Sushma Swaraj, was working “full time”, this key ministry required a lot of travel.
BJP General Secretary, Om Mathur, could be moved to Rajasthan to replace, Vasundhara Raje, if she is shifted to the Centre. If BJP comes to power in Himachal Pradesh, Union Health Minister, J.P Nadda, could be considered for the post of Chief Minister, sources said. The elections in Himachal Pradesh, are due in October.
The Cabinet reshuffling, would also be carried out with an eye, on the forthcoming polls, in other key States, such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. These States, will go to the polls, the next year.
Mr. Modi, besides the cabinet reshuffling, also intends to take a look at possible nominees for Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Presidential elections are due by July.
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