New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday, intensifying talk that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may soon announce changes to the Union Council of Ministers.
The meeting followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit two days earlier and comes amid party moves that have heightened speculation: several ministers were not renominated to the Rajya Sabha, while others were shifted into key organisational posts at the state level, as reported by India Today.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan posted a picture of Shah’s meeting on X, stating: “Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
Rajya Sabha Exits, State Roles
Among the notable developments prompting discussion is the departure of veteran Kerala BJP leader George Kurian from the Council of Ministers after his Rajya Sabha term expired. Kurian, 65, who held portfolios as Minister of State for Minority Affairs and for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, was not renominated by the party when his term ended on June 21.
This besides, Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh, whose Rajya Sabha tenure also concluded on June 21, was not put forward again by the BJP. Singh had represented Rajasthan in the Upper House since August 2024 and served as Minister of State for Food Processing Industries.
Party Posts Reshuffled
The BJP has also moved senior leaders into key state-level positions in recent months. On May 28, party national president Nitin Nabin appointed Minister of State Harsh Malhotra — who holds charges in Road Transport and Highways and Corporate Affairs — as the BJP chief for Delhi. In December, Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance, was given the party’s top job in Uttar Pradesh.
With both the prime minister and the home minister meeting the President this week, and with these changes in parliamentary nominations and party responsibilities, anticipation of a Cabinet reshuffle has picked up pace.
