New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi may undertake a maiden reshuffle of his council of ministers soon in his bid to make the government more efficient.
There are indications that Modi may go in for the cabinet reshuffle after the upcoming round of assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana where stakes are high for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It would be the first reality check on his popularity and performance ever since he led BJP to a huge victory in the May general elections.
Sources say the reshuffle may take place anytime after the festival of lights Diwali. The first week of November is the most probable date for carrying out the exercise.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) which has emerged as the power centre since Modi took over as the prime minister on May 26 this year is closely monitoring the performance of each member of his 44-strong council of ministers which includes 22 cabinet ministers, 10 ministers of state with independent charge and 12 ministers of state.
According to sources in the PMO, ministers whose performance is not up to the expectation and those who are suspected to be directly or indirectly involved in corruption are on Modi’s radar and may get the marching orders.
“PM is uncompromising and impatient by nature. Non-performers have no place in his scheme of things. As for corruption, he follows zero tolerance policy,” sources said.
The Constitution (Ninety-First Amendment) Act, 2003 puts a cap of 15 per cent of the total number of members of the House of People (Lok Sabha) which has 545 members including two nominated members of the Anglo-Indian community. It means Modi can have 81-member council of ministers.
While Modi may expand his council of ministers, it is highly unlikely that he will go in for a jumbo government since he believes in having a small but efficient council of ministers.
“All ministers would have got over five months by the time the reshuffle takes place which is seen by the PM enough time given to them to perform. There is definitely no place for NPAs (non-performing assets) in his government,” sources added.
PMO has received complaints from public that relatives of some ministers are indulging in corrupt practices. Those ministers may also be on the line of firing. Modi is understood to have called and given dressing down to son of his home minister Rajnath Singh in the recent past, though it was later on denied by both Singh and Modi.
The reshuffle may also witness some ministers being divested of their additional portfolios. Finance minister Arun Jaitley may have to give up his additional charge of defence in the reshuffle.