All Eyes On Who Will Make It To Team Modi

Kite flying is a traditional pastime in Delhi. It seems to have peaked in recent times amidst buzz that PM Modi will reshuffle his Cabinet post BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 11-12. Speculations are rife about leaders who will join Team Modi with BJP organisation revamped under new BJP chief Nitin Nabin. There is much expectation that some leaders could be moved to Raj Bhavan and Governors who have spent more than two terms — such as Anandiben Patel (UP) and R N Ravi (West Bengal) — could be replaced. Modi’s PMO may also see new faces with his principal secretary Dr P K Mishra — who is not keeping too well — may hang his boots. The Gujarat cadre officer who has been Modi’s key aide since 2014 could be made a Governor. Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan could eventually emerge as Principal Secretary. In an interesting development, there is a talk N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, may find a place in Team Modi. It gained currency with Chandra’s decision “not to seek another term” when his current tenure ends on February 20, 2027. PM Modi may be keen on having a person of Chandra’s eminence as part of his team because he possesses a rare domain expertise in semiconductor manufacturing, and industrial policy. Modi, it is learnt, was impressed with Chandra for his role in Ram Temple work and in construction of new Parliament building. Though L&T handled the temple’s main structural building and design execution pro bono, Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd acted as the Project Management Consultant for the project. As for the New Parliament, Tata Projects Ltd won the main execution contract for approximately Rs 862 crore. Lead Architect: HCP Design, Planning and Management (led by architect Bimal Patel) designed the triangular complex.