Speculation regarding the long-impending Union Cabinet reshuffle has risen again, as there are possibilities that it could happen either on June 20 or June 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely
Speculation regarding the long-impending Union Cabinet reshuffle has risen again, as there are possibilities that it could happen either on June 20 or June 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to meet President Pranab Mukherjee over the weekend.
Mr Mukherjee, who is to return from his three-nation Africa tour on June 18, may grant the Prime Minister an appointment over the weekend, it is being speculated.
With June 21 being International Yoga Day, when the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Chandigarh to participate in the celebrations, sources indicated that the tentative reshuffle date could either be a day before the event or a day after.
While speculation in the recent past has been rife about the Cabinet reshuffle, most recent was a month back, when the Budget Session of Parliament had just concluded. However, as it happened in the instances prior to that, no such exercise took place.
This time again the speculation gained momentum with political circles abuzz that the “veterans” in the Union Cabinet — namely minority affairs minister Najma Heptullah, minister for micro, small & medium enterprise Kalraj Mishra as well as his deputy minister Giriraj Singh — may face exit.
Health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda’s name as one of the probable ministers to be shown the exit door, was doing the rounds on the previous occasion when the buzz regarding the reshuffle was on.
Incidentally, both Ms Heptullah and Mr Mishra are prominent leaders from Uttar Pradesh, the state which goes to polls in less than a year’s time. If one includes these two, then currently the Modi Cabinet has 12 ministers from the politically-crucial state.
However, there does not seem to be any likelihood of any other MP from Uttar Pradesh getting a berth in the Union Cabinet.
Though with the Sports Minister Sarbanand Sonowal becoming the Assam Chief Minister there is a possibility that BJP MP from Assam Ramen Deka may get a slot in the Cabinet as a representative of the north-eastern state.
None of the top four berths are likely to be disturbed, namely External Affairs, Defence, Home and Finance, sources indicated.
