By Kumar Rakesh
NEW DELHI: Speculation over a possible expansion and reshuffle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Council of Ministers has intensified, with political circles abuzz over likely changes in the Union Cabinet ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
While there has been no official confirmation from the Prime Minister’s Office or the government, discussions in political and administrative circles suggest that a cabinet reshuffle could take place either around July 5 or after Prime Minister Modi returns from his overseas visit on July 11.
According to sources, the timing of the expansion is being considered in view of the Prime Minister’s packed diplomatic schedule. President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Andhra Pradesh on June 30 and July 1, while the Prime Minister is expected to host the visiting Japanese Prime Minister from July 1 to July 3. Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to visit Rajasthan on July 4 before embarking on a visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand from July 6 to July 11.
Political observers believe the government may prefer to complete any cabinet expansion before the Monsoon Session begins, allowing newly inducted ministers sufficient time to prepare for parliamentary proceedings.
Sources indicate that the reshuffle could include the induction of several new faces while some existing ministers may be dropped or assigned new portfolios. Greater representation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), women and minority communities is also being discussed as a possible focus of the exercise, particularly with Assembly elections approaching in several states.
Among the names being mentioned in political circles is former Reserve Bank of India Governor and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Shaktikanta Das, who is reportedly being considered for a cabinet position. Other speculative reports suggest possible changes involving senior ministers, including Nirmala Sitharaman, Dharmendra Pradhan, Hardeep Singh Puri and Manohar Lal Khattar.
Several MPs are also being discussed as potential entrants to the Union Council of Ministers. These include Shrikant Shinde of Shiv Sena, Arun Govil from Meerut, Vishnu Dutt Sharma from Khajuraho, Janardan Singh Sigriwal from Bihar’s Maharajganj and Anurag Thakur, who is being tipped for a possible return to the Cabinet.
Political sources also claim that alliance management may play an important role in the reshuffle, with reports suggesting that parties such as Shiv Sena and other NDA partners could receive additional representation. Some reports have also linked the exercise to recent political realignments in Punjab and Maharashtra.
According to unconfirmed reports, as many as 10 to 12 ministers could be dropped, while several Ministers of State may also be replaced as part of a wider performance-based review. It is also being speculated that Prime Minister Modi recently reviewed the performance of ministries with senior government officials ahead of any potential reorganisation.
However, all names and portfolio changes currently remain speculative. The government has not made any official announcement regarding a cabinet expansion, and the final decision rests with the Prime Minister and the President of India.
