There is currently one dominant topic in national politics — the cabinet reshuffle. It is being reported that a cabinet overhaul could take place as early as Sunday or Monday, with talk circulating that as many as 38 ministers may be dropped from the Union Cabinet. Will senior leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman and Dharmendra Pradhan also be removed? And who from the Telugu states could find a place in the new cabinet?
Amit Shah Meets President Murmu
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently met President Droupadi Murmu. Political circles in Delhi are abuzz with talk that the official meeting primarily revolved around dates and protocols related to the cabinet expansion. However, neither the central government nor Rashtrapati Bhavan has made any official announcement so far. Behind the scenes, though, intense groundwork is reportedly underway.
Two Key Reasons for the Reshuffle
Two main reasons appear to be driving the cabinet change. First, performance — the Centre is said to be looking to remove ministers who have not delivered as expected over the past period. Second, electoral calculations. Assembly elections are due later this year in key states such as Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Goa, and BJP is reportedly planning to reward winning MPs from these states with cabinet berths to gain political mileage. Additionally, there is talk that several long-serving senior ministers may be sidelined this time, with the party high command deciding to prioritize youth — particularly Gen-Z generation leaders — in a bid to attract young voters.
Dharmendra Pradhan Faces Resignation Calls
Amid the NEET paper leak controversy, demands arose for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. He faced sharp criticism, especially from Gen-Z youth. As a result, there are indications he may be completely dropped from the cabinet. Political circles are buzzing with talk that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman could be handed the Education portfolio to drive reforms, while fresh leadership may be brought in for the Finance Ministry. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is also reportedly likely to be dropped. Young leader Anurag Thakur, who previously served as Minister for Information and Sports, is said to be in line for a cabinet berth again. Former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das is also being mentioned as a possible ministerial inductee.
NDA Allies to Get Major Weightage
This reshuffle is not just about BJP — NDA allies are also set to receive significant importance. Notably, from Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), Eknath Shinde’s son Srikant Shinde appears clearly in line for a Cabinet Minister position. Madhya Pradesh BJP chief Vishnu Datt Sharma and Janardhan Singh Sigriwala are also strongly mentioned in the list of new ministers. Arun Govil, known for his iconic role in the Ramayana television series, is also said to be in contention. Discussions are underway about giving Bihar former CM and JDU chief Nitish Kumar a special status or a distinct place in the Union Cabinet, though clarity is yet to emerge. MPs who won from the election-bound states of Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Goa are expected to get opportunities in the cabinet, and there is talk that 38 underperforming ministers could be dropped.
Telangana’s Picture
Turning to the Telugu states — based on political equations in AP and Telangana, key decisions are expected from the central leadership. In Telangana, senior leader Eatala Rajender is considered almost certain to get a spot in the Union Cabinet. He had hoped to become the state BJP president but missed out at the last minute, and his close associates recall that the party high command had promised him a cabinet berth as an alternative. Meanwhile, Godam Nagesh, the lone tribal MP elected from Adilabad, is confident he will get an opportunity in this expansion. Nizamabad MP Arvind from the BC community is also said to be making strong efforts to secure a ministerial post. On the women’s quota front, D.K. Aruna is widely expected to get a Union Minister of State position.
Telangana currently has 8 BJP MPs. G. Kishan Reddy holds a Cabinet Minister rank while Bandi Sanjay serves as Minister of State. There is debate over how many ministerial positions the state will receive this time. Talk suggests that if two posts are given, one may go to the BC community and the other to a woman or ST candidate — one being an independent charge and the other a Minister of State post.
There are indications that Kishan Reddy may be moved out of the cabinet and handed a BJP vice-president or general secretary role. As for Bandi Sanjay, he has recently been embroiled in controversy — his son Bandi Bhagirath’s rape case has sent shockwaves through national politics, and demands for Sanjay’s resignation have been voiced. Political circles suggest he too may be removed from his ministerial position.
Andhra Pradesh: Purandeswari Likely to Get Cabinet Berth
From Andhra Pradesh, strong signals from Delhi indicate that BJP state president Daggubati Purandeswari is set to get a direct cabinet berth this time. With a coalition government in place in AP and plans to further strengthen the BJP in the state in the coming days, she is reportedly being given a key role.
All eyes are now on what kind of turning point this cabinet reshuffle will bring to Indian politics. The entire nation is eagerly awaiting the official announcement from Rashtrapati Bhavan, expected on Sunday or Monday.