Cabinet Reshuffle Still In Horizon?

As speculation mounts that an upcoming cabinet reshuffle will bring in new, younger faces, a top source says senior leaders are likely to be replaced. Prominent names in the front row for consideration include Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri (74), Giriraj Singh (73), and S. Jaishankar (71), the source says. Meanwhile, although Piyush Goyal has recently been given the responsibility of BJP Treasurer, his age (62) makes it unlikely that he will be dropped under a strict one-man-one-position formula, the source says. On the other hand, leaders like Pankaj Chaudhary and Harsh Malhotra now head their respective state units, meaning they will most likely vacate their cabinet seats for others, the source says.

Additionally, the vacancies left by the resignations of George Kurien and Ravneet Singh Bittu will also need to be filled, the source says. NDA coalition partners are expected to secure additional representation in this probable reshuffle, the source says. Among potential inductees, Eknath Shinde’s son is likely to join the cabinet, alongside an additional leader from JD(U), possibly Sanjay Jha, and at least two members from the ex-TMC group, the source says. Firebrand leader Saayoni Ghosh is also expected to be accommodated, likely as a BJP spokesperson, the source says. There is also speculation that one or two DMK members could be inducted, though that will depend on how ongoing discussions between the two parties progress, the source says. Finally, any potential inclusion of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction remains uncertain until Supriya Sule takes the oath, especially given her father's seasoned political acumen of her father, the source says.