PM plans expansion — Sushma tipped to join Cabinet

But several factors have led the PM to consider changes in his team and time-frame too. The tragic and untimely demise of Power Minister P R Kumaramangalam, exit of Ram Jethmalani and Uma Bharati from the Council of Ministers and elevation of Minister of State for Railways Bangaru Laxman as BJP chief have caused a few vacancies in the government.

There is also a feeling in the PMO that some of the key sectors such as Petroleum are not being handled properly. The way Ram Naik resisted disinvestment in the petroleum companies and failed to resolve other ticklish issues has made the PMO think of effecting certain changes.

The possibility of Surface Transport Minister Rajnath Singh going to Lucknow as Chief Minister has brightened in the recent past. Since Kalraj Mishra has been inducted as state BJP chief, decks have been cleared for Rajnath Singh to don the mantle. This may cause another vacancy at the Centre.

Then Shiv Sena has been pressing for the induction of another leader from its party into the ministry. With the creation of three new states — Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Chattisgarh — some changes may have to be made in the Union Council.

For example, the BJP’s lone representation from the truncated Bihar would be Health Minister C P Thakur as Yashwant Sinha, Rita Verma, Babulal Marandi and Munni Lal belong to Jharkhand. Since C P Thakur is a Bhumihar, there is a feeling that representation to dominant Maithili Brahmins who constitute 20% of the population in the bifurcated Bihar, should be given. Kirti Azad’s name figure among the probable as Minister of State.

Similarly, there is a feeling that the Agrawal-Vaish community has been under-represented in the Vajpayee Government though they have been backing the BJP to the hilt since long. Ram Das Agrawal’s name is also being mentioned.

Sushma Swaraj’s inclusion in the Union Ministry despite estranged relations between the PMO and her husband Swaraj Kaushal is rated very high this time. She has been kept out for no fault of her’s.

The name of M Venkiah Naidu, general secretary of the BJP, is also being mentioned for induction after the exit of Bangaru Laxman. There is none in Tamil Nadu BJP to fill the slot of KumaramangAlam.

Since the strength of the Union Council of Ministers at present is 68, there is scope for the induction of at least 5 new faces. Bangaru Laxman is also to announce his new team of office-bearers. It is almost certain that M Venkaiah Naidu would continue to be the general secretary and official spokesman of the party. Senior vice-president Jana Krishnamurthy’s name is again being mentioned for the post of Governor once again. Now that three new Governors are to be appointed for three newly-created states, certain gubernatorial changes may be affected.