Modi fixing Nuts & Bolts before Cabinet reshuffle
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fixing nuts and bolts before undertaking the much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle. Reports emanating from South Block (PM's Office) indicate that it may now be held before Modi goes to the USA on his state visit or before the Monsoon session of Parliament next month. Since this may be the last reshuffle before the Lok Sabha polls in May 2024, Modi is holding an extensive internal assessment. Secondly, the entire BJP machinery including Union Ministers is busy celebrating nine years of Modi government until June 30, the probability is that it may take only in July.
There are 29 Cabinet Ministers, two MoS holding Independent Charge and 45 Ministers of State taking the total to 76. It is heard in the corridors of powers that at least 2-3 Cabinet Ministers and a couple of juniors may have to make way to give representation to strong regional leaders and new allies. The strength of the ministry can go up to 15% of the strength of the Lok Sabha. Therefore, no large dropping seems to be in sight.
Talks are underway with TDP, AIADMK and Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena. The PM's policy is to give one Cabinet post to one ally irrespective of its numerical strength in the Lok Sabha. This rule may need to be amended to accommodate a few. The BJP is also grappling with a ticklish issue of bringing Akali Dal (Badal) on board to go it alone in Punjab. The LJP faction led by Chirag Paswan also to be accommodated as BJP is worried after Nitish Kumar walked away. The BJP doesn't want to tinker with the experiment of removing strong satraps any more in states after the Karnataka debacle.
