NEW DELHI: The union cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be sworn-in Thursday evening at 7 pm. It has been hinted that there will be 35 members in the first phase of the cabinet. Party chief Amit Shah is likely to be included in the cabinet. Meantime, it is also heard that Shah will be included in the cabinet only after the polls in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana. Modi had a five-hour long discussions with Amit Shah yesterday on the formation of the cabinet. The list of ministers to be included in the cabinet will be given to the President. Arun Jaitley has asked Modi not to include him in the cabinet citing health issues.
The portfolios of Rajnath Singh, the second in the cabinet, could not be changed without his permission. The finance department may be given to Piyush Goyal instead of Jaitley. There is a possibility for Amit Shah to take over this portfolio. Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Health Minister J P Nadda may take over the charge of the party. Nirmala Sitharaman may continue as minister if she is not made party chief.
Many new faces may be included in the cabinet. Local and social considerations are also considered. Venkiah Naidu was excluded from the cabinet following his elevation as vice-president. Many vacancies lying vacant will be filled with smart new faces. All parties will be given importance. Nitish Kumar’s JD (U), Siva Sena will get two ministers each. Akali Dal, AIADMK and Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party will get berth.
Kerala is likely to get one or two ministers. Alphons Kannamthanam may get a ministerial berth as part of steps to attain confidence in minorities. Names of Kummanam Rajashekaran, Rajya Sabha members V Muraleedharan and Suresh Gopi are also heard.
Kerala many not get representation in the first phase. Kannamthanam is expected to be an independent minister in the first phase itself.
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