Piyush Goyal too gained big in reshuffle

Former power and coal minister Piyush Goyal replaced Suresh Prabhu to take over the influential Railways portfolio. The move, that came amidst a spate of accidents putting the role of Prabhu in question, did not surprise anyone.

As the Railway Minister, Prabhu had a disastrous stint with over 370 train mishaps, with over three major accidents within ten days. He even came forward to tender his resignation, which was not accepted by PM Modi. On Sunday, after the reshuffle, Prabhu said he was hopeful that Goyal will take forward “Modi’s dream” to have a functional Railways system at par with major international powers.

On the other hand, Goyal’s stint as the power and coal minister has been a fruitful one, bringing in a sea change in the critical power sector.

Naqvi’s elevation comes after Najma Heptulla’s exit from the Cabinet after she became the Governor of Manipur, when there was no Muslim face.

Pradhan’s elevation was backed by the success of some of the key schemes of Modi’s government -- the ‘Give It Up’ for LPG subsidies and the direct benefit transfer of the PAHAL scheme.