New Delhi: After the announcement of the new national team by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the talk of a possible reshuffle and expansion of the Modi cabinet has gained momentum in political circles in Delhi. After major changes in the organization of the BJP, now there are speculations that there may be a new distribution of responsibilities in the central government as well. However, no official announcement has yet been made by the central government or the BJP regarding the cabinet reshuffle.
According to the current situation, it is said that there are 69 ministers working in the central government. As per the constitutional provision, the number of the Union Cabinet cannot exceed 15 percent of the total membership of the Lok Sabha. According to this calculation, a maximum of 81 ministers can be included. Therefore, it is believed that the space is available for about 12 more ministers compared to the existing number.
A look at the ‘One Person, One Post’ formula
Senior leaders like Piyush Goyal, Smriti Irani and Anurag Thakur are said to have been given important organizational responsibilities in the new BJP national team. Also, with Union Minister Harsh Malhotra and Pankaj Chaudhary also getting important roles in the organisation, discussions have started on the principle of ‘one person, one post’.
If the BJP strictly implements this formula, some leaders may change their ministerial responsibilities or be sent to the organization full-time to maintain balance between the government and the organization.
The most talked about role of Piyush Goyal
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s name is in particular discussion among possible replacements. Now that he has been given an important responsibility in the party organization, political speculation has started whether he will continue as a minister in the central government or take a more active role in the organization.
If there is a change in his department, the responsibility of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry may be handed over to another senior leader. However, no official indication has been given regarding this at present.
Also look out for Harsh Malhotra and Pankaj Chaudhary
Harsh Malhotra is currently the Minister of State in the Central Government and there is talk of getting an important responsibility in the organization as well. Similarly, the political responsibility given to Pankaj Chaudhary in Uttar Pradesh is being seen in connection with the upcoming assembly elections.
As Uttar Pradesh is a very important state for the BJP, the coordination between the organization there and the central government could be important in the upcoming political strategy.
Which states can get a chance in 12 vacancies?
If the Modi government expands the cabinet, regional and social equations may play an important role in the selection of new ministers. Discussions are going on about the possibility of giving more representation to states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.
Apart from this, parties allied to the NDA may also get additional representation. Speculations are also running in political circles that Shiv Sena leaders from Maharashtra will get a seat at the Centre.
Strategies to reach partners
Not only BJP, but also the balance of NDA allies will be important in Modi government’s possible cabinet expansion. Keeping in view the political calculations of the upcoming Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha, efforts may be made to strengthen the coalition by giving place to the smaller and regional parties in the cabinet.
States like Punjab are also speculated to give a chance to new political faces, especially where the BJP wants to increase its organizational presence.
Not just new faces, ministries can also be redistributed
Having 12 spaces available in the cabinet does not necessarily mean only 12 new faces. At present some senior ministers are holding more than one ministry or additional charge.
These additional ministries may be assigned to other leaders in a possible reshuffle. In this way the government can achieve regional, social and political balance along with increasing administrative efficiency.
Speculation of change in BJP’s parliamentary board too
Apart from the Cabinet, there is a discussion that there may be a change in the Parliamentary Board, which is considered the highest decision-making forum of the BJP. Names of leaders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma are said to be in discussion.
If such leaders are given a place in the Parliamentary Board, the political message can be sent that the new generation of leadership in the BJP will be given more importance.
A look at the 2029 Lok Sabha elections
The BJP’s recent organizational changes are being seen in conjunction with its long-term preparations for the upcoming assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. There is a political debate about wanting to strengthen both the electoral system and administrative functions by clearly dividing responsibilities between the party government and the organization.
Currently, all the discussions about the cabinet reshuffle are at the level of speculation. Who will be in the cabinet, who will be out and which ministries will be changed will be clear only after the official decision from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP central leadership is announced.