Cabinet reshuffle likely before PM Modi leaves for 4-nation tour on July 6, Cabinet reshuffle,Prime Minister Narendra Modi,Amit Shah,BJP reshuffle,Najma Heptullah, Sarbananda Sonowal, Piyush Goyal
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- Category: Delhi political News
- Last Updated: Thursday, 30 June 2016 14:53
Cabinet reshuffle likely before PM Modi leaves for 4-nation tour on July 6, Cabinet reshuffle,Prime Minister Narendra Modi,Amit Shah,BJP reshuffle,Najma Heptullah,Sarbananda Sonowal,Piyush Goyal
Before the Parliament meets on July 18 for the monsoon session, new ministers are likely to be added to the cabinet and some may be given an upgrade, government sources said today.
Ministers of State Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan may be promoted to cabinet rank. Mr Goyal's shift to a more high profile ministry has been speculated upon for months.
Modi completed two years in power on May 26 and is likely to carry out a cabinet reshuffle before leaving for a four-nation trip on July 6.
- Minority affairs minister Najma Heptulla, who has turned 75, is believed to be on her way out.
- Leaders above the age of 75 had reportedly been told not to expect major responsibilities.
- Power minister Piyush Goyal, a minister of state with independent charge, is tipped for a promotion.
- A few vacancies are likely to be filled. Sarabananda Sonowal moved to Chief Minister of Assam; Raosaheb Patil Danve resigned after he was appointed president of the BJP in Maharashtra.
- The cabinet cannot exceed 82 ministers; currently, it has 70 members including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Amit Shah, who was re-elected as the party chief in January, is continuing with the old team.
A dozen cabinet ministers are from Uttar Pradesh, which votes next year. The result from India's most populous state will be used to measure the likely result of the next general election in 2019.