A buzz is going in political circles that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to bring a
reshuffle in the union cabinet. He held deliberations with Home Minister Amit Shah and Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda amid speculation about a reshuffle in the Union Cabinet, an exercise Modi has not undertaken since forming the government for a second time in May 2019. Sources, however, added that Modi has been meeting Union ministers in different batches of late, and Nadda has also been present there. It is explicitly clear that the experiment will be done by keeping an eye on the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh next year. UP is the most important state from all points of view for every party. This time BJP faces a stiff challenge to win the state as there are many issues on which BJP has faced flak. Of course, the first one is handling of Corona situation and the dead bodies found in the Ganga river have maligned the image of the BJP. The farmers' agitation against three farm laws is also a burning issue which BJP is facing as the farmers are stubborn on their demands. After the debacle in West Bengal(Though BJP seats increased from three to eighty, it will be considered a debacle in Bengal due to tall claims by BJP leaders) BJP and Modi have become extremely wary of the situation. All these factors will be considered before expanding the cabinet. It is very clear that Jyotiradity Shinde, once a trusted lieutenant of Rahul Gandhi, would be included in the union cabinet. It will be rubbing the salt on Congress’ wounds and in addition, it will be a message to Congress that, BJP always gives importance to able youth leaders. It will also be luring to Sachin Pilot who is on the verge of ditching Congress in Rajasthan. With the party now gearing up for the next round of assembly polls in five states early next year, including in all important Uttar Pradesh, it is expected to take various measures to bolster its social equation. Of these five states, the BJP is in power in Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur, besides Uttar Pradesh, while the Congress is at the helm in Punjab. Sources said the party leadership may move to take a series of measures to reinvigorate its state organizations and governments, and a reshuffle of the Union Cabinet can be a part of the larger exercise. Bengal defeat and UP elections have prompted the center to take expansion more seriously. Sushil Kumar Modi will also be included in the cabinet to pacify him after he was denied ministerial birth in Nitish Kumar government two points zero. But, presently UP elections must be weighing heavily on Modi’s mind. More leaders from UP are likely to be accommodated in the new cabinet to give strength to the party in that state. Modi government would not like to take any risks now in the case of UP as the way to prime minister goes from that state. All the casts will be given proper representation in the new experiment, but still, there shall be some displeasure. It is to be seen how Modi succeeds in pacifying various leaders’ anger. Modi is taking the experiment at the right time as the Corona wave is receding rapidly and there is no chance for the opposition to make allegations about the prime minister is busy expanding cabinet in hard times of the Corona crisis. Sushil Modi and Jyotiradity Shinde are fresh faces and they can be very useful to improve the image of the BJP. C K Sharma, a Brahmin leader in UP, is likely to be inducted into the cabinet considering the cast equation in UP. The cabinet expansion will be useful for Modi to face UP elections more confidently. From this point of view, the decision is of immense relevance.