Prime Minister Narendra Modi with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar during the NDA meeting in New Delhi on June 5. (Photo: News18)
Sources say the BJP wants to keep the top four ministries — Home, External Affairs, Defence, and Finance — with itself, along with some other key ministries like Railways. Nitish Kumar’s JD-U too is said to be eyeing Railways along with Agriculture and Rural Development. Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP could get a cabinet post and two Ministers of State
Nearly 12 to 15 spots in the Union Council of Ministers could go to NDA allies as the BJP top brass begins discussions with alliance partners ahead of the swearing-in of the Council of Ministers this Sunday.
Senior BJP leaders Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh and party president JP Nadda were engaged in discussions with allies at the latter’s residence on Friday evening. As per sources, the meetings were taking place one-on-one. The first meeting was reportedly held with NCP’s Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel and Sameer Bhujbal, followed by RLD chief Jayant Choudhary.
Sources say the BJP wants to keep the top Raisina Hill ministries of Home, External Affairs, Defence, and Finance with itself, along with some other key ministries like Railways, Road Transport, Law, Information Technology and Education.
One-to-one meetings with leaders of JDS, TDP JDU, NCP, SS, LJP and NCP were done on Friday by a group of senior BJP leaders JP Nadda, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh. The names of TDP’s Rammohan Naidu, LJP’s Jayant Chaudhary, JDU’s Lallan Singh, JDS’ Kumaraswamy and Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel are doing the rounds as Ministers from the allies camp.
Sources have said that the TDP and JDU are more interested in funds for their states (Andhra Pradesh and Bihar respectively) and that financial package is their priority.
The TDP, which is the largest constituency in the NDA with 16 MPs, could get at least three berths in the Council of Ministers, including a cabinet post and two Ministers of State. In 2018, before the TDP had quit the National Democratic Alliance, it had a cabinet minister and a Minister of State in the Narendra Modi government. The TDP then too had 16 MPs, but its importance is far greater this time.
The JD-U similarly could be in the running for three berths, a full cabinet minister position and two Ministers of State. The JD-U had incidentally sought four berths in 2019 when it had won 16 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, but the BJP had not relented and JD-U stayed out of the cabinet. This time, the JD-U has won 12 seats, but like the TDP, it has far more importance this time. The JD-U is said to be eying the coveted Railways Ministry, Agriculture and Rural Development. Nitish Kumar has earlier served as the Union Railways Minister while RCP Singh of the JD-U has served as Minister of Steel.
The Shiv Sena of Eknath Shinde, with seven seats, could also get a cabinet post and possibly a Minister of State berth, while the same could be offered to Chirag Paswan’s LJP which has secured a five-on-five verdict in Bihar. The JD-S and Jayant Chaudhary’s RLD could be offered either a full cabinet minister-ship each or a Minister of State with Independent Charge. The Apna Dal of Anupriya Patel, Jana Sena of Pawan Kalyan and HAM of Jitin Ram Manjhi, who have won a seat each, could also be in the running for a Minister of State post each.
There may be a Cabinet Minister or an MoS with Independent Charge post given to Ajit Pawar’s NCP, which has one seat in Maharashtra this time. The state will go to polls later this year.
Aisha Patel is a dedicated Indian correspondent with a deep understanding of the nation’s diverse affairs. With a background in Indian culture, politics, and current events, she provides in-depth analysis and timely reporting on domestic issues within India.
