Amidstrong buzz in the political circle about possible reshuffle in the unioncabinet later this week, first in the second term of the Narendra Modigovernment, sources said that cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place in acouple of days and BJP MPs are asked to reach the national capital at theearliest.
However,there is no confirmation from the party or the government about the time ofpossible cabinet reshuffle.
Aparty insider said that BJP chief J.P. Nadda, who is on a two-day visit toHimachal Pradesh, will be returning to New Delhi on Tuesday evening."Nadda ji has reached Himachal Pradesh to attend his personal andorganisational program. He is reaching Delhi later today for some importantwork," he said.
Sourcessaid that ahead of reshuffle the Prime Minister is likely to hold a meetingwith senior ministers and party chief Nadda in the evening but there is noconfirmation about the meeting.
Partyfunctionaries claimed that calls were made to several party leaders who areexpected to be inducted in the cabinet, to reach Delhi. "Following thedirection of party leadership, former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal,Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia are reaching Delhi today," hesaid.
Sourcessaid that Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is likely to be inducted in Modi cabinet,has cut short his visit to Indore in Madhya Pradesh and is reaching the nationalcapital in evening. "Earlier Scindia is expected to take on a flight fromIndore to Delhi on July 7 at 11 a.m. But after he was asked to reach Delhi atthe earliest, Scindia is leaving for Delhi from Indore at 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday.Before leaving for Delhi, Scindia took blessings at Mahakal Temple inUjjain," said a BJP leader aware of the Scindia program.
Amidthe buzz, a video of former union minister late Ram Vilas Paswan's brotherPashupati Paras went viral in which he is seen buying clothes for his new'kurta' he is likely to wear in swearing in ceremony.
"InductingParas in the cabinet will also clarify BJP's stand that which faction of theLok Janshakti Party (LJP) has the support of the Prime Minister and the saffronparty," a party leader said.
SomeBJP MPs eyeing the ministerial berth this time, however, said that they havenot received any call from either the Prime Minister office or party."Appinting a minister is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. I haven'treceived any call but heard MPs are asked to reach Delhi as soon aspossible," a BJP MP said.
AnotherBJP functionary said that alliance partner Janta Dal United (JD-U) leaders --R.C.P. Singh and Rajeev Ranjan 'Lallan' are also reaching the national capital."JD-U who did not join the Modi government in 2019 is likely to get twoministerial berths while the party is asking for three," he said.
ApnaDal chief Anupriya Patel is also likely to be made minister. She was part ofthe Modi government in the first term.
Partysources claimed that reshuffle is due and it will happen before the monsoonsession of parliament starting from July 19 but it may happen in the next fewdays. "Cabinet expansion is due to fill up the vaccines and it is believedthat it will happen soon this week," he said.
Sincelast month there have been speculations about possible union cabinet reshuffleand the Prime Minister held several rounds of discussion with senior partyleaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party chief Nadda and generalsecretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh. He (Modi) personally reviewed theperformance of existing ministers.
Sourcesclaimed that few ministers will be dropped and they will be accommodated insome other position.
"UnionMinister Thaawar Chand Gehlot has been appointed governor of Karnataka. Moreministers and especially those above 70 years are likely to be dropped andmight be appointed governor, Gehlot is aged around 73 years. We heard that thePrime Minister is likely to induct young faces to give a new look to hiscabinet," they said.