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Home » Politics News » Cabinet rejig: to counter Mayawati in UP, Modi may induct Dalit woman MP
 

Cabinet rejig: to counter Mayawati in UP, Modi may induct Dalit woman MP

Panini Anand | Updated on: 4 July 2016, 18:16 IST
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Leaders from UP are set to dominate the impending reshuffle of the Narendra Modi cabinet. Here's why
Modi is likely to induct Krishna Raj, a Dalit woman MP from UP, into his cabinet. To counter Mayawati?

As Narendra Modi finalises changes to his cabinet, likely on 5 July, the most significant factor likely to inform his decision is the impending Uttar Pradesh election.

Indeed, the expected induction of Krishna Raj, a Dalit woman MP, is seen as intended to counter BSP chief Mayawati. Several other BJP leaders from UP are expected to be rewarded as well. Mahesh Sharma, who holds independent charge of the culture ministry, is said to be up for promotion, as is the junior minister Sanjeev Balyan.

Also read:Shattered dreams: motormouth Swamy won't figure in cabinet reshuffle

The two of them have of late gained prominence among the party faithful for espousing hardline Hindutva. Baliyan, MP from Muzaffarnagar, is accused of instigating the riots in his constituency in 2013, while Sharma allegedly made hate speeches in the aftermath of the Dadri lynching last year. Their elevation will send a message to the BJP rank and file that the party is committed to the core agenda of Hindutva.

Another name from UP that's being talked up for a cabinet berth is Mirzapur MP Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal, a BJP ally. Mahendra Pandey, BJP MP from Chandauli is also likely to take oath as a minister.

Mahendra Pandey, Anupriya Patel and Krishna Raj would make a "perfect" campaign team as they represent the three key voter blocks - Brahmin, OBC and Dalit, respectively.

Mission UP

By making these appointments, the prime minister would send a "message" that UP is "very important" for him. According to BJP insiders, this would work on two levels - one, it would blunt the criticism of Modi as an outsider to the state; two, it would reinforce his claim, made at the BJP's Parivartan rally in Allahabad last month, that "Uttar Pradesh dominates my cabinet". Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the most senior minister the state, while Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, although a resident Goa, is a Rajya Sabha MP from UP.

Also read: Modi & Amit Shah prepare for major reshuffle in govt & party. Heads may roll

On their way out? Najma Heptullah, Radha Mohan Singh, Nihal Chand, Ram Shankar Katheria, Vijay Sampla

Other than this, there may be few changes, if any. "There is no possibility of changes at the top level of the cabinet. The top five will not be touched. The changes will be in the second and third rungs," said a BJP leader.

Some ministers may be sent back to work in the party. The name on top of this list is MoS, Panchayati Raj, Nihal Chand of Rajasthan. If he goes, he's likely to be replaced by Arjun Meghwal from the state state. MoS for HRD Ram Shankar Katheria may be sent back to the organisation as well.

Vijay Sampla, a junior minister, and Najma Heptullah, Minister for Minority Affairs, are likely to be dropped, while the fate of agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh hangs in the balance.

Also read: BJP moves in for the UP kill: Modi sells Achhe Din, Amit Shah stokes fears

First published: 4 July 2016, 18:16 IST
Cabinet reshuffle Narendra Modi Krishna Raj Brahmin OBC Mayawati Sanjeev Balyan Mahesh Sharma Najma Heptullah A
 
Panini Anand @paninianand

Senior Assistant Editor at Catch, Panini is a poet, singer, cook, painter, commentator, traveller and photographer who has worked as reporter, producer and editor for organizations including BBC, Outlook and Rajya Sabha TV. An IIMC-New Delhi alumni who comes from Rae Bareli of UP, Panini is fond of the Ghats of Varanasi, Hindustani classical music, Awadhi biryani, Bob Marley and Pink Floyd, political talks and heritage walks. He has closely observed the mainstream national political parties, the Hindi belt politics along with many mass movements and campaigns in last two decades. He has experimented with many mass mediums: theatre, street plays and slum-based tabloids, wallpapers to online, TV, radio, photography and print.
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