PM Modi to rejig his cabinet on sunday

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

At least a dozen new faces may be inducted into the Union Cabinet on Sunday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes reshuffle of his ministry. This would be last rejig ahead of assembly election in some states and the General election-2019. Although there is no official confirmation about the number but it is being presumed since resignation of few ministers.

The swearing-in ceremony has been fixed for 10.30 a.m. at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. PM Modi held discussions with BJP chief Amit Shah had deliberation on Friday.  Union transport Minister Nitin Gadkari also met Modi.  Although he refused to comment on speculation that he was being shifted to railways, saying it is the prerogative of PM to induct and drop ministers.

There is speculation that the PM may appoint a Defence Minister since the portfolio has been with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as additional charge. Three Ministers — Rajiv Pratap Rudy (Skill Development), Kalraj Mishra (Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises) and Sanjeev Balyan (Water Resources) — have already resigned and about a half-a-dozen are believed to have offered to resign.

PM may shift Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to some other ministry like environment while possibility of dropping Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh whose performance is below the PM expectation. As we know that Prabhu had offered his resignation after two back-to-back train derailments, including in Muzaffarnagar, UP.

Union Minister of state Manoj Sinha, Dharmendra Pradhan and Piyush Goyal are likely to promoted as cabinet ministers in their portfolios. Pradhan had a meeting with Shah in the evening,
Some reshuffle of the portfolios are likely with ministers, including Narendra Singh Tomar and Smriti Irani, holding additional charges. Tomar, who is Rural Development Minister, holds additional charge of Urban Development while Textiles Minister Irani holds additional charge of Information and Broadcasting.

With elections approaching in Himachal Pradesh, Health Minister J.P. Nadda may be shifted to the state, and be projected as a chief ministerial candidate.