Speculation rife over Cabinet reshuffle

Speculation is rife over a possible reshuffle of the Union Cabinet by the end of this week, the first since Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government came into power at the Centre.

Sources state that among the possible changes in the Cabinet are those of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar shifting to New Delhi as Defence Minister and of BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi being given a Cabinet berth.

On Wednesday, Parrikar held discussions with party chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi in the national capital, leading to speculation of his being given a seat in the Cabinet. The Goa CM himself, however, denied any such talks.

"He has not said anything about that. I discussed with him issues concerning my state Goa," Parrikar told the media after his meeting with the Prime Minister at 7, Race Course Road.

BJP veteran Yashwant Sinha's son Jayant too is in the race for the Cabinet berth,with media reporting that the Harvard MBA is being considered as a Minister of State (MoS) for Defence or Finance. Other key people who are expected to be promoted are MoS Nirmala Sitharaman and Haryana leader Birender Singh.