Cabinet Reshuffle: Nirmala New Defence Min, Piyush Gets Railways
Two former bureaucrats, a former diplomat and a former police commissioner will now be part of Modi’s Cabinet.
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Sunday’s Cabinet reshuffle in the Modi government saw Nirmala Sitharaman taking over the defence ministry and Piyush Goyal assuming charge of the railways ministry. Dharmendra Pradhan was given the additional charge of skills development, while Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was named the minority affairs minister.
Nine new ministers were also inducted in the Cabinet including Raj Kumar Singh, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Shiv Pratap Shukla, Virendra Kumar, Anant Kumar Hegde, Hardeep Singh Puri, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Satya Pal Singh and Alphons Kannanthanam.
The much-anticipated Cabinet rejig is touted to be the final major churn before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The reshuffle was scheduled to be held after President Ram Nath Kovind returned from his trip to Tirupati and ahead of PM Modi’s departure to China, where he will attend the ninth BRICS summit.
- Nirmala Sitharaman named defence minister, Piyush Goyal appointed as railways minister and Suresh Prabhu gets commerce
- RK Singh, Anant Kumar Hegde, Virendra Kumar, Shiv Pratap Shukla, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Nirmala Sitharaman among nine new ministers inducted in Modi cabinet
- The Cabinet reshuffle comes ahead of PM Modi’s departure to China to attend the ninth BRICS Summit
- Shiv Sena skips the swearing-in ceremony, calls Cabinet reshuffle a show of arrogance
- Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Union minister Uma Bharati absent from event at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Ex-Babus, Military Men Make up for 10% of Modi Ministry
From a former home secretary to a top retired diplomat, a former Mumbai police commissioner to a retired Army chief, nearly 10 percent of Narendra Modi's council of ministers is made up of former bureaucrats or ex-servicemen.
With the induction of Raj Kumar Singh, Hardeep Singh Puri, Satyapal Singh and Alphons – the number of former bureaucrats and ex-servicemen in the Modi government has risen to seven.
Incidentally, all seven are ministers of state.
The other three ministers from bureaucratic or military background are former Army chief Gen (retd) VK Singh, Col (retd) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Arjun Ram Meghwal, a former IAS officer from Rajasthan.
It Seems Amit Shah Is the PM: Congress
The Congress took a dig at the induction of four former bureaucrats in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet, saying it showed he did not trust his political colleagues.
Talking to the media, Tewari claimed Modi was “strangely disconnected” from the Cabinet reshuffle exercise.
“It seems that (BJP president) Amit Shah is the prime minister,” he said, referring to reports that claimed Shah summoned ministers and asked them to resign before the rejig.
He also termed the expansion “maximum government and minimum governance”.
Sitharaman Is Hard Working, Knowledgeable: Parrikar
Former defence minister and Goa’s Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar called Nirmala Sitharaman’s appointment a “very excellent and a well thought out decision”.
Sitharaman Is an Extremely Competent Successor: Jaitley
Outgoing Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday called Nirmala Sitharaman’s appointment as a “very significant landmark”.
He added that Sitharaman is an “extremely competent successor and will carry the road forward”.
Rajyavardhan Rathore Appointed Sports Min
Olympic silver medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has been appointed the new sports minister in place of Vijay Goel, who has been made the minister of state for parliamentary affairs.
The 47-year-old Rathore was till now serving as minister of state for information and broadcast.
Outgoing Sports Minister Vijay Goel asserted that he had a successful stint in office and categorically stated that the government alone cannot build a sports culture in the country.
“If the Prime Minister wants me to give me other responsibility, I have to accept it. If I had not performed, the PM would have dropped me in this reshuffle. But I had a successful stint, so I have been given more responsibilities,” Goel told PTI.
Nirmala Sitharaman Credits Elevation to "Cosmic Grace"
Nirmala Sitharaman, who landed the defence ministry in a major rejig of the Modi government on Sunday, credited her elevation to a Cabinet rank minister to “cosmic grace” and support from party leadership.
Asked whether dealing with Pakistan in view of terrorism will be her priority, she said, “I have not even taken charge. I don’t think it is appropriate to comment on it now. Give me some time.”
To a query whether her elevation showed the Prime Minister’s commitment towards women empowernment, she said:
Big Changes in Modi Cabinet
- Nirmala Sitharaman is the new Defence Minister
- Piyush Goyal has been appointed as the Railways Minister
- Suresh Prabhu has been appointed as Commerce Minister
- Nitin Gadkari has become Water Resources Minister
- Dharmendra Pradhan given Skill Development & Petroleum Ministry
- Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is the new Minority Affairs Minister
- Smriti Irani retains Information and Broadcasting Ministry
- Uma Bharati becomes Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation
New MoSes
Congress Tweets Congratulations, Says 'We are Watching You'
Suspense Over Portfolios Continues
Before a formal announcement is made about portfolios, speculations are rife about who is expected to take over which ministry.
TV reports quoted sources as saying that Arun Jaitley will retain defence, only for now, since he is heading to Japan for a visit. He is likely to give up the berth post the visit.
Dharmendra Pradhan is expected to become petroleum minister and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is expected to become minority affairs minister.
Shiv Sena Criticises Cabinet Rejig
Having missed the oath-taking ceremony, Shiv Sena on Sunday called the Cabinet reshuffle a show of arrogance. “This Cabinet reshuffle and the one before this were only BJP reshuffles not of NDA,” said Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut.
Kerala Chief Minister Congratulates Alphons Kannanthanam
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday congratulated Alphons Kannanthanam on being inducted into the cabinet.
No Reshuffle in the Top Ministries: Reports
There will not be any reshuffle in the top ministries, reports suggested a few minutes after the swearing-in ceremony. This implies that Sushma Swaraj will retain external affairs minister and Arun Jaitley will retain defence and finance ministry.
Suresh Prabhu Hints at Exit From Railways
PM Modi Congratulates New Council of Ministers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate the newly inducted council of ministers.
Lalu Prasad Yadav Taunts Nitish Kumar
Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday taunted Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for not getting invited to the swearing-in ceremony. “One who leaves his people won't be taken in by others. It's Nitish Kumar's fate,” he said.
9 New Ministers Take Oath
9 new ministers have been inducted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet including Raj Kumar Singh, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Shiv Pratap Shukla, Virendra Kumar, Anant Kumar Hegde, Hardeep Singh Puri, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Satya Pal Singh and Alphons Kannanthanam.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal and Mukhtar Naqvi Get Cabinet Ranks: Media Reports
Dharmendra Pradhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi have been sworn-in as Cabinet ministers.
Meet Modi's New Council of Ministers
PM Modi Arrives For Oath-Taking Ceremony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived for the swearing-in ceremony.
Ministers Arrive at Rashtrapati Bhavan For Swearing-in Ceremony
Ministers have started arriving at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the swearing-in ceremony.
Uma Bharti Not Present at the Ceremony
Union Minister Uma Bharti gave the ceremony a miss as she is away at a pre-scheduled event.
Unhappy Shiv Sena to Skip Today's Oath-Taking Ceremony
An unhappy Shiv Sena on Sunday said that it will not attend today's oath-taking ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Piyush Goyal to Be Next Railways Minister?
TV reports on Sunday suggested that Piyush Goyal will replace Suresh Prabhu to take over the railways berth as part of the Cabinet rejig,
JD(U) Confirms None of its Members to Get Cabinet Ranks
“Our National President had already made it clear, so no question of me or anyone from JDU joining cabinet,” JD(U)‘s VN Singh said on Sunday, confirming that none of the party members will get Cabinet ranks in today’s reshuffle.
Modi, Amit Shah Meet New Ministers For Breakfast
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah are meeting the new ministers at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg for breakfast, ahead of the swearing-in at 10:30 am.
RK Singh, Hardeep Singh Puri Thanks PM Modi
RK Singh, one of the nine ministers who will be sworn in as a Cabinet minister, on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Modi for “expressing confidence” in his ability. He added, however, that the portfolio hasn’t been decided yet.
Hardeep Singh Puri, another new inductee, also expressed his gratitude. “I am grateful to the PM for making me a part of his team,” he said.
New Ministers to Swear in at 10:30 am
Nine new ministers will be inducted into the cabinet at 10:30 am today.
JD(U) Sulks, RJD Rubs it in
“Nitish himself has written his political obituary,” says RJD leader Manoj Jha after former alliance partner JD(U) was left out of the cabinet reshuffle.
What We Know About the New Inductees
1. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Lok Sabha MP from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is the National General Secretary of the BJP Kisan Morcha.
2. Satyapal Singh: The former police commissioner of Mumbai was elected to the Lok Sabha from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.
3. KJ Alphons Kannanthanam: The IAS officer won the assembly election from Kanjirappally in Kerala’s Kottayam district in 2006. In 2011, the now retired civil servant joined the BJP and was nominated to the party’s National Executive. He first came into the limelight in 1989, when he was credited driving up the literacy rates in Kottayam by 100 percent during his tenure as district collector.
4. Ashwini Kumar Choubey: The BJP MP from Buxar, Bihar, has served as the health minister of the state. Before contesting for the Lok Sabha, he was an elected MLA from Bhagalpur.
5. Hardeep Singh Puri: The former IFS officer served as the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations between 2009-2013.
6. Raj Kumar Singh: The Lok Sabha MP from Arrah, Bihar, served as the Home Secretary of India under UPA 2. Singh reportedly had serious differences with then Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on several issues, including the Delhi police’s handling of the protests that broke out in the aftermath of the 16 December gangrape and the handling of the Afzal Guru execution. He also famously arrested LK Advani during his Rath Yatra, while he was the district magistrate of Samastipur in 1990.
7. Anant Kumar Hegde: The BJP MP from Uttara Kannada, was in the news earlier this year for thrashing three doctors, who allegedly made his mother wait for hours for treatment while the staff was performing an operation on another patient. The assault was caught on camera.
8. Virendra Kumar: The Lok Sabha MP from Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, is also the Chairperson of Standing Committee on Labour
RSS Unhappy With Some of the Proposed Names
RSS presented its opinion to Amit Shah in the meeting that took place at Vrindavan on 1 September, but the two saffron outfits could not reach a consensus on a few names and ministries.
Sources told The Quint that PM Modi has asked Nitin Gadkari to find middle-ground. Gadkari, who is said to be close to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, has often co-ordinated between the RSS and the BJP.
Congress Raises Questions on Cabinet Reshuffle
Ahead of a reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, the Congress raised questions on whether the ministers who may be removed or have resigned are linked to the corruption cases that are being probed.
The Congress accused the Centre of being "selective" and "opportunistic" in dealing with opposition leaders under investigation in cases of corruption.
Andhra BJP Chief K Hari Babu likely to join Cabinet
According to media reports, K Hari, the president of the Andhra BJP, is likely to be inducted in the Union Cabinet. He has reportedly left Hyderabad for Delhi along with his family.
Dharmendra Pradhan meets Amit Shah
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Petroleum and Natural Gas
Dharmendra Pradhan reaches Amit Shah's residence in New Delhi.
According to media reports, Pradhan might get "promoted" in the rejig tomorrow, but a portfolio is yet to be revealed.
Cabinet Reshuffle Narendra Modi's Prerogative, Says Nitin Gadkari
"It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's prerogative who should be given what responsibility. He is the one to decide on tomorrow's cabinet reshuffle," says Nitin Gadkari.
Himanta Biswa Sarma Quashes Induction Rumours
Amidst speculation that Himanta Biswa Sarma may be appointed Minister of State for Defence in the Cabinet rejig, the Assam health and finance minister tweeted:
Birender Singh Denies Rumours of Becoming the Agriculture Minister
Union Minister for Steel, Birender Singh, denied reports that he was in the running to become the Agriculture Minister in the reshuffle.
The Disaster That the Modi Govt Is, Won't Change: Sitaram Yechury
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury took to Twitter to take potshots at the Narendra Modi Cabinet reshuffle. Yechury posted screenshots of the identical messages tweeted by six BJP MPs on demonetisation.
Nitish Kumar Says JD(U) Has No Info on Cabinet Reshuffle
"We have no information, no talks about it. We have gotten information only from the media," Chief Minister of Bihar and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar said, when asked about the cabinet reshuffle.
No Word From BJP on Cabinet Expansion: Uddhav Thackeray
NDA’s partner Shiv Sena has not received any communication from the BJP over the inclusion of its members in the Union Cabinet expansion scheduled for Sunday, party chief Uddhav Thackeray said.
The Sena chief said the party's ideology for the last 50 years has been 80 percent social work and 20 percent politics.
Though a long-time ally of the BJP, Sena has often been at loggerheads with the senior partner. Its lone member in the Union ministry is Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete.
AIADMK Inclusion Still Unconfirmed
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the participation of the AIADMK and JD(U) in the Union Cabinet as Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes its reshuffle tomorrow.
Internal troubles in the Tamil Nadu party, which has been hit by a rebellion led by TTV Dhinakaran, can prove to be a stumbling block in its joining the government as it works to defuse the crisis.
JD(U) sources said they were still not informed about their participation in the government.
BJP sources, however, played down the confusion over whether or not the two parties will join the government, saying things will fall in place before the event.
There are also talks of a greater representation from existing allies like the TDP and the Shiv Sena.
Union Minister Kalraj Mishra Resigned
Union minister of micro, small and medium enterprises Kalraj Mishra resigned ahead of Sunday’s cabinet reshuffle.
Mishra, 77, says he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and gave his resignation.
The Good Performers
Power Minister Piyush Goyal, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha are seen as being among the "good performers" in the government, a party leader said, adding that some of them can be elevated.
Maharashtra MP in the Cabinet?
Maharashtra MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe is set to be included in the cabinet, CNN News 18 reported.
JD(U) Contenders
JD(U) 's RCP Singh and Ramnath Thakur are likely to be inducted in the Union Cabinet, ANI reported quoting source. Ram Chandra Prasad Singh and Purnia MP Santosh Kushwaha are also being touted as top contenders.
Top Ministers Meet Home Minister
Union Ministers Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Nitin Gadkari met Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence, ahead of the Cabinet shuffle.
Telangana CM Rao in Delhi
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is in Delhi ahead of the Cabinet rejig, say reports.
Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya Resigns: Reports
Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya has become the sixth minister to resign ahead of the Cabinet reshuffle on Sunday, according to reports. Dattatreya was asked to resign last night and he put in his papers today, The Hindu reported.
Cabinet Reshuffle to Happen on Sunday
KC Tyagi, Rajya Sabha MP and Janata Dal United leader, who is expected to be inducted into the Cabinet himself, told a news channel that the cabinet reshuffle will be held on Sunday. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, at 10 am on Sunday, 3 September.
Will Not Answer Questions on My Resignation: Uma Bharti
Refusing to comment on reports of her resignation, Union Minister Uma Bharti said only BJP chief Amit Shah can answer such questions.
“Since yesterday the media has been reporting on my resignation. I haven’t heard anything about it, neither will I respond to questions on it. Only BJP president Amit Shah or the President of India can answer that question. I don’t have the right to answer the question,” she tweeted.
Mahendra Nath Pandey Resigns
Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey resigned from his post after he was named Uttar Pradesh BJP President on 31 August, ANI reported
Will Abide by Party's Decision: Rajiv Pratap Rudy
When asked about his resignation, Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that he hasn’t been informed about his new responsibilities yet. As a “soldier” of the BJP, I will abide by whatever the party decides, he said.
Piyush Goyal Likely to be Elevated
Piyush Goyal, MoS with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy, is likely to be elevated, News 18 reported.
AIADMK, JD(U) May Join NDA
AIADMK's Thambidurai and K Venugopal will reportedly be granted Cabinet berths if the party joins the Modi government. Amit Shah had earlier held closed-door discussions with Thambidurai.
There is no clarity on the matter, with some reports ruling out any alliance between the AIADMK or the NCP with the NDA.
At least two members of the JD(U) are also likely to join – with Ram Chandra Prasad Singh and Purnia MP Santosh Kushwaha being touted as top contenders.
Ananth Kumar May be Given Urban Development
The Times of India reported that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar may be the choice for urban development minister. The post was handed over to Narendra Singh Tomar after Venkaiah Naidu was appointed Vice President.
Arun Jaitley to Forgo One Portfolio
Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley is likely to give up one of his two portfolios – defence being the more likely of the two. At a press conference on 31 August, when Jaitley was questioned on his tenure with the Defence Ministry, he was reported to have said, “At least I hope not very long.”
Kalraj Misra May Resign Over Seniority
According to sources, MSME Minister Kalraj Mishra, who met Shah on 31 August, may also resign. He is well above 75 years, the age bar the party has informally set for ministers.
Nitin Gadkari Likely to Head Railways, Aviation and Roadways Combined
Road transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari could be in for a bigger share of ministries after Saturday’s Cabinet reshuffle.
If Gadkari is handed all the three portfolios as one mega-portfolio, Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju will be asked to step down.
Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu had offered to resign from his position after a series of rail mishaps in August. In a tweet, he had said that the Prime Minister had asked him to “wait.” Prabhu could be finally on his way out.
Five Ministers Resign Ahead of Rejig
Ahead of the major Cabinet reshuffle on Saturday, at least five ministers put in their papers. MoS Rajiv Pratap Rudy reportedly resigned from his position at the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, with reports suggesting that he will be given ‘organisational work’ in the BJP. Uma Bharti, too, stepped down as the Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister, citing health concerns.
The other three ministers who have resigned are Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Faggan Singh Kulaste, MoS for Water Resources Sanjeev Balyan, and MoS for MSME Ministry Giriraj Singh.
Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is likely to have also resigned. Singh had faced a lot of criticism over the death of protesting farmers in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur, where the BJP also lost a recent by-election to the Congress.
Party general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal told Hindustan Times that he had been asked to step down. Quoting sources, the newspaper reported that even in the last Cabinet reshuffle that took place in July 2016, ministers were asked to submit their resignations first.
Cabinet Reshuffle Likely on Saturday
Around eight ministers met BJP chief Amit Shah on 31 August, fuelling speculation of a possible Cabinet reshuffle that has been on the cards for quite some time now.
Arun Jaitley was among the ministers who met the BJP head.
An NDTV report said that a major reshuffle would most likely happen by 2 September, after President Ram Nath Kovind returns from his trip to Tirupati, and before Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs for China to attend the BRICS summit on 3 September.
Four Ministers With Additional Charges
A Cabinet reshuffle has been impending since July, when Smriti Irani and Narendra Tomar were given additional charge of portfolios earlier held by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu – taking the count of union ministers handling additional charge to four.
Irani was given the additional charge of Information and Broadcast ministry, while Tomar got the Ministry of Urban Development.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had already been holding the portfolio of the Defence Ministry after Manohar Parrikar resigned to become Goa Chief Minister. Union Science and Technology Minister Harshvardhan had been holding the additional charge of the Environment portfolio following the death of Anil Madhav Dave in May.
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Published: 31 Aug 2017,06:57 PM IST