Modi Cabinet rejig likely before Monsoon session

NEW DELHI, JUN 28 (AGENCIES): A reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers is likely before the Monsoon Session of Parliament, with the exercise expected to coincide with the announcement of the BJP’s new organisational team under party president Nitin Nabin.
According PTI report, quoting sources, the BJP leadership has finalised the new organisational team, with younger leaders likely to be given key responsibilities. Nabin has also held consultations with some Union ministers of state. The reshuffle may see some ministers shifted to organisational roles, while BJP office-bearers could be inducted into the Modi government. Portfolio changes are also expected, with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s future reportedly under a cloud following controversies relating to the alleged NEET paper leak and irregularities in the CBSE digital marking system.
Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule would determine the timing, while political and regional considerations, including caste and loyalty, would influence the final composition. The government is also said to favour “fresh blood” in some key ministries.
Union ministers Pankaj Chaudhary and Harsh Malhotra, who have been appointed BJP state presidents in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi respectively, are expected to leave the government under the party’s “one man, one post” principle. George Kurian has already resigned after not being re-nominated to the Rajya Sabha, while Ravneet Singh Bittu continues as minister despite his Rajya Sabha term ending and has reportedly been asked to focus on the Punjab Assembly elections.
Sources said more representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and West Bengal could be inducted into the ministry. Some members from the rebel Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) factions, as well as one or two former AAP Rajya Sabha MPs who joined the BJP, are also under consideration, subject to legal developments.
Some ministers who may be dropped from the Cabinet could be accommodated as governors. However, sources said Prime Minister Modi is known to keep major decisions under wraps until an official announcement is made.