The portfolios of M. Venkaiah Naidu, the vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Alliance, were reallocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning. Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani was given additional charge of Information and Broadcasting, while Rural Development Minister Narendra Tomar took over the Urban Development Ministry.
The reallocation was a temporary fix for what is turning out to be a shortage of hands: the Ministries of Defence, Environment, and now Information and Broadcasting and Urban Development are without full-time Ministers.
Reshuffle ahead
Senior sources in the government and the BJP indicated that a Cabinet reshuffle is on the cards after the monsoon session of Parliament, but its scope was yet to be determined.
“It is no secret that there needs to be an infusion of some more people into the government, especially in these four Ministries. The choices are to make it a small exercise of inducting four people, and allocating these portfolios to them or a making changes in other allocations too,” said a source.
The exit, in quick succession, of former Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and now Venkaiah Naidu for other assignments and the sudden death of Anil Madhav Dave have left gaps in the Council of Ministers.
From poll-bound States
“South and northeast will be focus areas from where new talent could be drawn, though BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, who has been heading important committees in the Rajya Sabha, including the Select Committee on the OBC Bill, may also find a place in the Council of Ministers,” a source said.
The States heading for elections are always a good bet for allocation of ministerial berths and entries from Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka could find their way in.
“The reshuffle in the government may also give a move on to a rejig in the BJP’s office-bearers where only piecemeal arrangements are being done to fill vacancies. The exit of Trivendra Singh Rawat from Delhi to head the Uttarakhand government is just one example as several general secretary-level positions need to be filled,” said the source.