Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to revamp his cabinet for the first time since retaining power in 2019. If reports are to be believed the reshuffle is expected between 5.30 pm and 6 pm today.
As many as 20 new ministers could take oath when Prime Minister Narendra Modi expands the Council of Ministers. The Union Cabinet can have 81 members. At present, there are 53 ministers. There is a scope for adding 28 new faces. Sources said the swearing-in may happen as early as Wednesday. However, there was no official word on it. Speculation about a cabinet reshuffle was triggered by meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Jagat Prakash Nadda on Tuesday. Among the four likely to be included in the cabinet — two are from Janata Dal (United), one from Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) fraction group Pashupati Paras, and one from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP leaders Sarbananda Sonowal, the former Assam chief minister who made way for Himanta Biswa Sarma in the state, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Sushil Modi are seen as strong ministerial probables. Several positions in the Cabinet are vacant due to the exit of Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal and the demise of Ramvilas Paswan of Jan Lokshakti Party.
