The Narendra Modi government might witness expansion of the Cabinet and soon will see new faces before the start of second half of the Budget Session scheduled on April 20. Sources claimed that a few non-performing ministers may be kicked off the cabinet.
The expansion and reshuffle exercise of the Cabinet will take place after the two day national executive meeting of the BJP, starting on April 3 in Bengaluru.
Sources claimed that PDP MP Mehbooba Mufti, daughter of J&K CM Mufti Mohammed, may get accommodated into Modi Cabinet. Moreover, the Cabinet might witness reshuffle. Party insiders claimed that the prime minister might use the opportunity to send out a strong message to non-performing ministers. And those who have performed well might be rewarded.
According to sources, Union Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla, the senior-most member of Modi’s council of ministers, who will turn 75 soon, is likely to be dropped out from the Cabinet. It should also be noted that Modi had set up a cut-off age of 75 for ministers in his government, and she is likely to be made governor of a state.
While Maharashtra ally Shiv Sena has been demanding more seats in the Cabinet, sources said that it is likely that Shiv Sena nominee Anil Desai, who was left out of the Cabinet reshuffle and expansion the last time, may be made given MoS with independent charge.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who is MoS for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs might be given independent charge of minority affairs, claimed a party insider. The Cabinet as of now has 26 Union ministers, 13 ministers of state (MoS) with independent charge and 26 other MoS, apart from the PM.