Sources said that the power duo discussed a possible cabinet reshuffle, also means to strengthen the party’s organisational structure.
Sources said that there would be an increase in the numbers of representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab as these are poll bound states. The expansion may take place after the Yoga day celebration on June 21, sources said.
“We constantly communicating with the RSS,” a BJP leader told reporters, and also indicated that various political considerations such as representation of various groups and states, especially where elections are due, would be factored in during the cabinet reshuffle.
In the past few months, a set of vacancies have come up in Narendra Modi’s council of ministers.
Sarbanand Sonowal, resigned as the minister of state (independent charge) of youth affairs and sports. He went on to become Assam’s chief minister. Minority affairs minister Najma Heptullah may be given Governorship in a state as she has crossed the age limit for being a minister. She is currently 76. Minister of state for social justice and empowerment, Vijay Sampla may be dropped as he was recently appointed BJP’s unit chief in Punjab.
BJP sources hinted that many of the newly elected Rajya Sabha MPs could get lucky in this cabinet expansion. Shiv Pratap Shukla, a Brahmin from Uttar Pradesh and Vinay Sahasrabuddhe from Maharashtra could get a look-in.
From Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu was elected to the Rajya Sabha. His presence in the union cabinet could improve BJP’s prospects in Punjab. The position of the sports minister has been vacant since Sarbananda Sonowal became Assam CM.
Others pushing for cabinet slots include Yogi Adityanath, who represents the Hindutva face of the party in the elections, he is said to be keen on becoming a CM candidate in Uttarakhand as well. Bhagpat MP Satyapal Singh’s name is also doing the rounds. He was Mumbai’s police commissioner.
Yogi belongs to the Rajput caste, while Singh is a Jat, both belong to the upper castes which are important vote banks for the BJP.
Sources say that the expansion in the union cabinet also could be reviewed by Amit Shah’s team. There could also be a few changes to strengthen the organisational structure.