PM Modi's cabinet reshuffle at 6 PM today; Sarbananda Sonowal likely to be made 'Petroleum Minister'

NEW DELHI: Amid immense speculation, prime minister Narendra Modi's cabinet is likely to be reshuffled at 6 pm in the evening today, according to reports that came in early in the morning.

This reshuffle is of special interest to the Northeast Indian region as Sarbananda Sonowal, a former chief minister of Assam who currently represents Majuli in the Assam Assembly, is likely to get a Union Cabinet Minister berth. Although the Sonowal-led BJP scripter a victory in this year's election, the chief ministerial position was given to Jalukbari MLA and former Assam Cabinet Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Sonowal yesterday flew to New Delhi, all but confirming that he is indeed being eyed for a Cabinet position.

Sonowal served as the Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India, from 2014 to 2016. He was chosen to be the Chief Minister of Assam after the 2016 Assam Legislative Assembly election and he was the first Chief Minister of the state from Bharatiya Janata Party.

The former AASU leader has flown to Delhi in the recent past, possibly to hold discussions with central BJP leaders for his upcoming role.

According to reports, PM Modi is will rejig his cabinet to send out a political signal by correcting regional representation with an eye on upcoming polls.

The prime minister can have an 81 member council, while currently there are 53 ministers in PM Modi’s cabinet. several of his leaders hold more than one ministry due to the exit of Shiv Sena, Shiromani Akali Dal, and the demise of Jan Lokshakti Party’s Ramvilas Paswan.

Modi will seek to introduce greater efficiency by reducing the burden on several ministers who hold multiple portfolios.

Another name that has been doing rounds for a while now is former Congressman and now BJP Rajya Sabha MP Jyotiraditya Scindia.

In another major move, governors of several states were appointed on Tuesday, likely laying the groundwork for the reshuffle of the Cabinet.

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