“It was always an additional portfolio,” sources close to FM Arun Jaitley said today.
PM Narendra Modi’s cabinet reshuffle is chiefly expected to factor in the BJP’s political strategy in Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections will be held early next year, and sources said at least two more faces from the state may join as ministers.
Among those who met Mr Shah today was Anupriya Patel, Lok Sabha MP from the BJP’s UP ally Apna Dal. Also from UP, the BJP’s Lok Sabha member Mahendra Pandey met Mr Shah. Mr Pandey is a Brahmin, a big votebank in the state that all parties are vying to woo in these elections.
Also among those who met BJP President Amit Shah today amid buzz that they will take oath tomorrow were Purushottam Rupala and Mansukhbhai Mandavia, BJP leaders from Gujarat, Arjun Ram Meghwal , #RomenDeka and PP Choudhary from Rajasthan, SS Ahluwali, BJP MP from Darjeeling, the party’s Vijay Goel from Delhi and Ramdas Athawale, a BJP ally in Maharashtra.
Journalist turned Rajya Sabha member MJ Akbar too met Amit Shah, who is also expected to announce a new team of BJP office-bearers soon.
At least three new ministers are expected to be from Maharashtra, sources said, and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis discussed names with Mr Shah in Delhi today. Anil Desai of the BJP’s sulking Maharashtra ally, the Shiv Sena, could also be made a minister.
Sources said there may be no changes in the top four – Home, Finance, Defence and External Affairs, but some ministers like Power Minister Piyush Goel may be in for a promotion.
There are 66 ministers at the Centre right now, including the Prime Minister and a vacancy. The Constitution allows 82 ministers.
Bureau Report
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