Ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several ministers including Rajiv Pratap Rudyhave resigned from their posts.
According to sources, firebrand BJP leader Uma Bhartiwho held the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, has also offered to resign on health grounds.
Rudy, a BJP MP from Bihar’s Saran, held independent charge in the ministry of State Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Nitish Kumar‘s JD-U, which has also decided to join the NDA after a break-up with Lalu Prasad Yadav and Congress, is expected to be offered two berths in the new Cabinet.
It is speculated that since ministers from JD-U will be from Bihar, Rudy who also hails from the state was dropped in the reshuffle.
Sources said Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, has also tendered his resignation. It is understood that both Amit Shah and PM Modi were unhappy with the attendance of Kulaste in the ministry.
On the other hand, ministers Sanjeev Baliyan, Kalraj Mishraand Mahendra Pandeya have offered to resign.
Kalraj Mishra, a senior leader from Uttar Pradesh, has offered to quit and will be sent as a Governor to some state. At least 7 posts of Governor are lying vacant.
Union minister Mahendra Nath Pandey was appointed Uttar Pradesh BJP president in place of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, creating one more vacancy in the Council of Ministers.
Sources said at least 6 of these ministers were asked to go based on their performance review. Some of them were handling key ministries that are supposed to push PM Modi’s favourite programmes.
The portfolios of Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singhand Maneka Gandhimay be changed.
Although Railway Minister Suresh Prabhuhad offered to resign after rail accidents, sources said PM Modi is in a mood to give him another chance.
Highly-placed sources have indicated to India Today that the much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle could happen on September 2.
Earlier in the day, BJP chief Amit Shah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and at least eight union ministers where new portfolios were discussed.
Sources said a change in portfolios is likely while new faces will be inducted.
It is being understood that the Modi government will make nearly a dozen changes in the reshuffle.
Ministers Prakash Javadekar, Piyush Goyaland Dharmendra Pradhan are likely to be elevated in the reshuffle.
Key ministries like Defence and environment will get new bosses in the Cabinet rejig.
Also read:
BJP in huddle ahead of Cabinet reshuffle likely by Saturday: Who gets what
Article source: http://www.news18.com/news/india/bofors-pay-off-case-supreme-court-likely-to-hear-plea-today-1506309.html
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