Ministers Quit Ahead Of Cabinet Reshuffle, BJP Rejig

Amidst reports that several Union Ministers have offered to resign, Skill Development Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy resigned late on Thursday (31 August), ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle.

Water resources minister Uma Bharati has cited health reasons, offering her resignation.

Sanjeev Balyan and Mahendra Pandey have also quit.

Pandey, the junior HRD Minister, earlier in the day was made UP BJP chief, balancing the delicate UP caste equations.

Another senior minister in the Union Cabinet Kalraj Mishra might be made a Governor, as he has attained the age of 76. 75 is the widely-regarded cutoff age in the Narendra Modi government.

Reports also suggest that Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh, and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh  may face action due to sheer non-performance.

In contrast, some performers may be drafted for party work. Union Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman’s name is being taken in this regard. She has already been drafted for the poll-bound Gujarat election-related work.

There are indications that both the JD (U) and the AIADMK may get place (two berths each) in the Modi cabinet.

In addition, the cabinet reshuffle exercise may see the creation of some “super ministries” and Nitin Gadkari, widely hailed as among the best performers, may be a direct beneficiary. Piyush Goyal too may be promoted. Arun Jaitley, who is looking after two heavyweight portfolios of Defence and Finance, may shed one of them.