Union Cabinet, PMO Reshuffle On Cards

At a recent meeting with his Union Cabinet ministers, PM Narendra Modi advised them to focus on the work of their ministries and also restrict their public comments to speaking only about their ministerial work. Many viewed Modi’s counsel as the beginning of an assessment of performance of ministers ahead of an impending cabinet reshuffle. It was seen as a signal that non-performing ministers would be dropped even as Modi 3.0 hasn’t completed a year. The moot point is when will the reshuffle take place? Will it be after the Delhi Assembly polls are held in February? Or soon after the Union Budget is presented on February 1? Since the immediate focus for the Centre will be Mahakumbh mid-January, one may well say PM Modi will choose his time. With too many parties trying to join the BJP’s bandwagon in Maharashrashtra – NCP (SP) leaders and Shiv Sena (UBT) praising CM Devendra Fadnavis — there may be pressure to induct new faces at the Centre. Which means it will not be just old allies Shiv Sena ( Eknath Shinde) and the NCP; NCP leader Praful Patel who spurned the initial MoS offer is certain to be included. The turnaround by veteran leader Sharad Pawar who met Modi along with pomegranate farmers could pave the way for a suitable role for daughter Supriya Sule. There is a buzz that there could be a reshuffle in the PMO too. Both NSA Ajit Doval and Dr PK Misra, principal secretary to the PM, could be hanging their boots. A 1968 Kerala cadre IPS officer Doval has had a very long and distinguished innings and retired in 2005. Misra, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer has worked closely with Modi and retired in 2013.