Union Cabinet reshuffle to take place today

The much-awaited Cabinet expansion will take place on Tuesday ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament. The new ministers would be sworn in at 11 am in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrpati Bhawan.

Besides possible changes in the portfolios of some ministers and induction of new faces, the vacancy caused by the resignation of Sarbananda Sonowal following his installation as Assam Chief Minister, is also to be filled.  A dozen of new faces are likely to be inducted. This would be the second cabinet expansion since this government assumed office in May 2014. The first one was carried out in November 2014.  Speculation of inclusion of new MPs hailing from poll bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand started doing the rounds soon after news came in about the expansion. Many of the expectants met with BJP national president Amit Shah at his residence.  Some of the NDA allies confirmed their inclusion in the union council of ministers.  While some existing ministers may be promoted others could be sent back to the bjp to assume organisational responsibilties.  Currently 64 Union ministers, including the Prime Minister, and there can be a maximum of 82 under a constitutional bar.