New Delhi: The anticipation around who will be appointed as cabinet ministers is palpable as Prime Minister Modi prepares to lead his first coalition government. The NDA government’s swearing-in ceremony is set for Sunday.
Key questions revolve around the top portfolios, which are expected to remain with the BJP. These portfolios include Home, Finance, Defence, External Affairs, Road Transport, Railways, IT, and Education.
Despite speculation, major alliance partners may not see all their demands fulfilled. The JD(U) is adamant about securing the Railways portfolio, while the TDP has requested Information Technology, a request that may not be granted.
Well-placed sources indicate that both JD(U) and TDP will receive the same number of ministerial positions, even though the TDP won 16 Lok Sabha seats compared to JD(U)’s 12.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized on Saturday that he will make the final decisions regarding the ministries.
The exact number of ministers to be sworn in remains unclear, but it is expected to be a cabinet of at least 30 members.
Many BJP leaders are reportedly engaging in rituals to secure positions in the new cabinet. Additionally, the BJP is considering replacing several ministers from Modi’s second term.
Ministers who were defeated in the recent Lok Sabha elections might be among those replaced. About 19 ministers lost their elections by significant margins, including notable figures like Smriti Irani, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, RK Singh, and Arjun Munda, all of whom were cabinet ministers.
Sources suggest that the BJP leadership plans to introduce new faces to replace those who lost or had narrow victories, aiming to bring fresh energy to key portfolios and ensure effective governance. Four ministers facing potential replacement include Smriti Irani, Arjun Munda, and RK Singh, who might be accommodated in the Rajya Sabha due to their strong performance in their previous roles.
A close aide of one of the defeated ministers mentioned, “By bringing in new faces, the party aims to inject dynamism into key ministerial portfolios, ensuring effective governance and delivery of promises made to the electorate.” Rajeev Chandrasekhar lost to Congress’ Shashi Tharoor by 16,077 votes, Smriti Irani lost by over 1.67 lakh votes, and Arjun Munda by over 1.49 lakh votes.
The BJP leadership appears hesitant to appoint MPs with narrow victory margins as ministers. The forthcoming cabinet is expected to balance regional representation, caste dynamics, and administrative competence.
Changes are also anticipated in key ministries within the “BJP quota,” such as the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Tribal Affairs Ministry may go to an NDA ally, while the Ministry of Power could be assigned to the TDP or JD(U).
“If the Railway Ministry remains with BJP, one of the two MoS posts could go to the JD(U), TDP, or Shiv Sena Shinde faction,” a source said.
