With Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar set to be elected to the Rajya Sabha, speculation has once again begun about a possible reshuffle in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Union Cabinet.
Reports suggest that Modi may soon expand his cabinet to induct Nitish Kumar and assign him the important Union Railway Ministry.
Along with Nitish, a few more members from the NDA alliance are also expected to be included in the Union Cabinet, according to reports from New Delhi.
There is also talk that several senior ministers currently holding key portfolios may be moved to organisational roles within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). If that happens, it could create additional vacancies to be filled by leaders from the BJP and its NDA partners.
Against this backdrop, speculation is growing that one additional Union ministerial berth may be allotted to NDA allies from Andhra Pradesh—either the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) or the Jana Sena Party.
Since the TDP already has two ministers in the Union Cabinet, discussions are reportedly underway in New Delhi about offering the new berth to the Jana Sena Party.
At present, Jana Sena has two Members of Parliament, and the decision on who will be nominated for the ministerial position is expected to be taken by party chief Pawan Kalyan.
There is speculation that Pawan Kalyan may recommend his brother Naga Babu for the cabinet berth at the Centre.
Reports suggest he discussed the matter with TDP chief and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during a recent meeting at Naidu’s residence.
However, Naga Babu is currently not a Member of Parliament. He is an MLC and was earlier expected to be inducted into the Andhra Pradesh state cabinet.
Later, Pawan Kalyan reportedly changed his mind and began lobbying for a Union Cabinet berth for him, sources said.
According to the speculation, Naga Babu could first be inducted into the Modi Cabinet and later be elected to the Rajya Sabha.
In June, four Rajya Sabha seats from Andhra Pradesh are set to fall vacant, and one of them may go to Jana Sena.
It is being speculated that Naga Babu could be chosen for that Rajya Sabha seat, which would clear the hurdle for his continuation in the Union Cabinet.
Meanwhile, discussions are also taking place regarding the Andhra Pradesh state cabinet.
If Naga Babu moves to the Centre, the BJP is reportedly likely to get another ministerial berth in the state government. Party sources suggest that BJP MLC Somu Veerraju may be inducted into the cabinet.
A final decision regarding both the Union Cabinet berth for Andhra Pradesh and the possible reshuffle in the state cabinet is expected soon.