Speculation is doing the rounds in the national capital, New Delhi, that a reshuffle of the Narendra Modi cabinet may take place in the coming weeks.
According to reports, there could be a major overhaul of ministers and their portfolios.
Sources said there is talk of portfolio changes involving Union Cabinet ministers G Kishan Reddy and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who are currently handling the Coal and Mines and Civil Aviation ministries, respectively.
There is speculation that Ram Mohan Naidu could be assigned the Rural Development Ministry, a portfolio once held at the Centre by his late father, K Yerran Naidu.
Another name being discussed is Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, who is currently serving as a Minister of State in the Rural Development and Communications ministries. He is said to be in contention for an independent charge in the event of a reshuffle.
There is also talk that Harish Balayogi, son of former Lok Sabha Speaker GMC Balayogi, and BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari may be accommodated in the Union Cabinet.
At the national level, there is speculation that several ministers, including Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, could see changes if a major restructuring takes place.
Political observers are also closely watching developments in Bihar, where reports suggest that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has been elected to the Rajya Sabha, could resign from the chief minister’s post at any time.
If that happens, Nityanand Rai, currently serving as Minister of State for Home Affairs, is being mentioned as a possible successor in Bihar, while Nitish Kumar himself may be accommodated in the Union Cabinet.
There is speculation that Nitish could be assigned the Agriculture Ministry, a portfolio he had handled earlier during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
Sources indicate that the reshuffle may take place either in the first week of April or after the completion of the election process in some states.
There is also speculation that the government may seek to extend the ongoing Parliament session to facilitate the passage of key legislation.
The government is reportedly keen on holding a special session of Parliament to push through important measures such as the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill at the earliest.
