Union Cabinet reshuffle: Will those aged above 75 be axed?

BJP's decision to drop two ministers from the Madhya Pradesh government on the ground they have crossed 75 years has triggered speculation that such a yardstick could be applied in the much-talked about Union Cabinet reshuffle that is likely to take place soon.

Party chief Amit Shah held a long meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday evening where the two leaders are believed to have discussed the reshuffle and the long overdue organisational rejig.

Union Minister Najma Heptulla turned 75 in April last year and her colleague Kalraj Mishra turns 75 on Friday. Though the party has never put the age rule on record it was widely believed to have been the reason why senior leaders like L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi were co-opted into the "margadarshak mandal" (guiding group) and kept out of the Cabinet.

With the UP assembly polls scheduled for early next year, some party leaders believe that Mishra, a well-known Brahmin face from the state, may be retained. States like UP and Assam are likely to get more representation in the Council of Ministers while some ministers of state may be promoted, sources said.

Going by its rule to have 25 per cent new faces in the national executive, the decision-making body will see fresh names or those who did not find place in Shah's team after he took charge for the first time in 2014. The recast executive is likely to meet in Kerala in September, sources said.