Sujana Chowdary may get berth in Modi Cabinet
New Delhi: Nearly three months after forming the government, the Narendra Modi Cabinet is all set for its first round of expansion. It is likely to happen on or before August 20 and might see some senior party leaders joining the government. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), an important ally of the NDA, is almost certain to get one berth of Minister of State with Independent Charge.
TDP leader Ashok Gajapathi Raju is already a Cabinet minister handling the Civil Aviation portfolio. TDP sources have confirmed that the post would go to Rajya Sabha member Y Sujana Chowdary who presently heads their TDP Parliamentary Party. Another ally, Shiv Sena, would also be given one more berth.
Top sources told that among the BJP leaders, JP Nadda and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are the frontrunners for the new Cabinet. Both Nadda and Naqvi are Rajya Sabha members and popular as spokespersons of the party. Two veteran leaders of the party Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and Bijoya Chakraborty (both LS) are also likely to be inducted this time round.
Koshiyari is a former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand while Chakraborty has been representing the all- important Guwahati Lok Sabha for a long time. It may be mentioned that Assam is high on the BJP's radar for organisational expansion. Amit Shah had made special reference of Assam while discussing the expansion plans of the party in the BJP National Council meet last week.
Two ministers, one each from Karnataka and Gujarat, are also likely to be included in the expansion though the names have not yet been finalised. As for the allocation of work, all eyes are on the Defence portfolio.
For the time being, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is holding additional charge of Defence. The Rural Development ministry is looking for a full time Cabinet minister after the sudden demise of Gopinath Munde in a road accident.
Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari was given charge of the ministry but it is learnt he is keen to hand it over to a full time minister due to other responsibilities.
News Posted: 15 August, 2014
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