New Delhi, June 27 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to expand his Cabinet in the coming days to accommodate a technocrat at a significant position and include representatives from the left-out states and NDA allies.
BJP sources claimed about 10 to 12 new ministers would be accommodated in the Cabinet expansion. “There will be more representation to Maharashtra and Bihar where polls are due in a few months as well as states like Bengal where the party is trying to make further inroads. Leaders from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh may also get a chance,” said a party leader.
The name of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is doing the rounds for some important portfolio.
(Manohar Parrikar and Rajiv Pratap Rudy)
A party insider said that many senior leaders, including Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Murli Manohar Joshi, may be given important posts.
After Gopinath Munde’s death, Modi is likely to induct another BJP leader to give representation to Maharashtra. RPI leader Ramdas Athavale may also get a seat in the Cabinet. With polls in Maharashtra due this year, Athavale could play a crucial role in getting Dalit votes to the coalition.
Race for BJP president still open
BJP leaders said on Thursday that the race for the post of the party president is still open even as Amit Shah appears to be leading as of now. A party insider said that senior leader J.P. Nadda is also in the reckoning and a decision is likely in the next few days.
“The decision on the new party chief is likely to be taken in the next week ahead of the Budget session. There is no doubt over Shah’s quality after he scripted a landslide victory for the party in UP, winning 71 out of the 80 seats, but the fake encounter case pending against him may come in his way,” he added.
Sources said a section of the BJP is batting for the low-profile Nadda as he is accessible.
Rajnath Singh and senior party leaders held discussions with the PM on the issue after the Union Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
