Change in Narendra Modi cabinet likely as Rupala’s term ends.
With chief minister Narendra Modi’s government completing two years this December, the buzz is that there are chances of a major reshuffle at the cabinet level, and new faces may also be seen. A highly placed source in the state BJP said on condition of anonymity,
“As the term of state BJP president Purshottam Rupala and other senior office bearers are nearing an end, it is likely that one of the senior ministers will take charge as the president while other ministers will be reassigned various party posts. Some senior MLAs might also be given ministerial responsibilities.”
The source further said that, “ministers of well-performing states are likely to get elevated to cabinet rank, but the final call will be the CM’s. There is a strong pressure from the RSS that Modi be moved to Delhi as the party president. In that case, the state will also require a new CM, and even if the possibility of a major reshuffle seems unlikely, a minor one at the cabinet level cannot be ruled out.”
The source also said that the party is considering revenue and woman and child development minister Anandi Patel as the new party president. If the talk holds any truth, Patel will be the first woman to be BJP president in 30 years.
Incidentally, the state government has decided to introduce 50% reservation bill in all the local bodies. Elections of all municipal bodies, municipalities, talukas and district panchayats are scheduled around September 2010, so if a woman takes charge as party president it will not only give a major push to CM’s women empowerment policy, but will also be of advantage to the party in local body elections, said the source.
“Other names under consideration for the top party posts are agriculture & cooperation, animal husbandry minister Dileep Sanghani; panchayat, rural housing, rural development, food, civil supplies and consumer affairs minister Narottam Patel; water supply, water resources (excluding Kalpsar division), urban development and urban housing minister Nitin Patel; finance, labour and employment minister Vajubhai Vala and minister of state for Home, Amitbhai Shah,” said the source.
The chances of Vajubhai serving as part president are less as he has already served as party president once. The new president from the ministry may serve till the 2010 local bodies elections or may even continue till the assembly elections in 2012,’’he added.
A senior state BJP leader said on condition of anonymity that, “the CM has been contemplating the reshuffle to boost the party workers’ morale. It will also help strengthen the party at various levels.”
Since 2002, various posts in board, corporations and important posts in various districts and taluka level bodies have been lying vacant and this is becoming a major cause of concern.
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