Cabinet Reshuffle Getting Tougher?

Rumors are circulating in political corridors that the delay in the much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle is due to senior ministers refusing to resign, sources say. This is being described as unprecedented, with ministers openly resisting the traditional practice of stepping aside when asked, sources add. One senior minister is said to have remarked that a former colleague is lobbying to see him removed to downgrade his political standing, sources say. In another case, when a senior minister was asked to submit his resignation, he reportedly rushed to the RSS and sought blessings, sources add.

 The tension escalated further when this minister telephoned the minister and requested that he put in his papers. The latter, sources say, reacted sharply, accusing colleagues of trying to tarnish his image for a long time. He reportedly declared, “I am not going to resign. Whatever you people want to do, please do. I will decide my future course of action after that,” sources add. The rumor of a reshuffle continues to dominate discussions, but observers believe the timing is complicated by the upcoming BRICS summit scheduled from 12 August, where leaders of Russia, China, and other nations are expected to attend, sources say. With such high level engagements, the government is unlikely to announce major changes before the summit, sources add. Furthermore, the following month is not considered auspicious for initiating new work, sources say. As a result, political observers predict that if the reshuffle does take place, it will likely be timed around Navratri, sources add.