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Centre appoints new Governors for Goa, Haryana and LG for Ladakh, signalling larger political restructuring.
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Four nominated to Rajya Sabha: Ujjwal Nikam, Meenakshi Jain, Harsh Shringla, and Sadanandan Master.
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Cabinet reshuffle likely before Parliament’s monsoon session as BJP prepares for organisational revamp.
By Dr. Kumar Rakesh
As the Narendra Modi government marks one year of its third term, major changes within the political landscape suggest an imminent Cabinet reshuffle. The appointment of three new gubernatorial heads on Monday, combined with the recent nomination of four Rajya Sabha members, appears to be part of a broader restructuring strategy, say sources familiar with the developments.
On July 14, President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Brigadier (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh and appointed senior BJP leader and former J&K Deputy CM Kavinder Gupta in his place. Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh has been named Governor of Haryana, while Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, a veteran leader from the BJP’s ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP), has been appointed as the Governor of Goa.
These changes come just a day after the Modi government nominated four new members to the Rajya Sabha: renowned public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, historian Meenakshi Jain, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Kerala-based RSS leader C Sadanandan Master. The nominations reflect a mix of legal, diplomatic, academic, and ideological heft, indicating a focus on realigning the government’s legislative priorities.
While no official word has been released, insiders suggest that a Union Cabinet reshuffle is likely in the coming weeks, possibly before the monsoon session of Parliament. The reshuffle is expected to bring in faces aligned with the government’s renewed priorities in foreign policy, trade, youth engagement, and digital economy. There is also speculation that some ministers may be relieved from dual responsibilities or moved to organisational work ahead of the upcoming state elections.
The reshuffle buzz has gained further traction amid internal changes in the BJP, with the tenure of current party president J.P. Nadda extended only until June 2024 and no announcement yet about his successor. Party sources hint that a new national president could be appointed soon, which could synchronise with changes in the Cabinet as part of the BJP’s larger political recalibration.
The Prime Minister’s Office has so far maintained silence, but the sequence of events — gubernatorial changes, high-profile RS nominations, and party-level discussions — indicate that a reshuffle may be not only inevitable but also imminent.
This move would be Modi’s first major shake-up since forming the government for the third consecutive term in June 2024. The strategic reshuffle may also aim to bolster regional representation and infuse technocratic talent to drive key policy priorities over the next four years.
