Union Cabinet reshuffle likely

Shiv Jha

New Delhi: The Union cabinet reshuffle seems imminent as the budget session of parliament has concluded. Narendra Modi government has already concluded two years at the helm and this is hightime for stock taking. It is also important to give more teeth to the council of ministers and add vigour to accelerate the pace of performance for the remaining three years.

The exit of Minority Affairs minister Nazma Heptullah and Agriculture minister Radhamohan Singh seems imminent as the former is slated to get gubernatorial position while Singh could give way to a younger face. Probably first time after decades, the focus of the Union Budget has been rural India. The focus is obviously to accelerate the rural growth and the agricultural sector. Contrary to popular perception that BJP will do well in urban areas, the rural India had sent huge number of BJP MPs in 2014 parliamentary polls. This rural upsurge in favour of the BJP shaped the contours of the Union budget this year. There is strong possibility that the union cabinet will find a new face in agricultural ministry.

Sources claimed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Finance Minister Arun Jaitely may be given  new portfolios. Both of them will remain equally important in Modi cabinet but may get new portfolios. HRD minister Smriti Irani could get the coveted I&B  and will retain her position of eminence. Finance Ministry may get a new face to handle the next budget and live upto the expectations of the mass.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has emerged as top contender for a union cabinet berth. In his place, the the BJP could give chance to any Dalit dealer as chief Minister in Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan with his proven administrative ability may be a credible choice at the Centre.

Newly inducted Rajya Sabha member Subramanium Swamy has strong chance of getting elevated to union cabinet. He has successfully cornered the Congress top brass soon after getting a RS berth. His elevation will further embarrass the Opposition. Rajiv Pratap Rudy may be given place in the party’s organizational structure. Prominent UP leader and union minister Kalraj Mishra may be shifted to the organization. In fact, Modi government has already done the performance appraisal of ministers before going for the crucial rejig.