The reshuffle in the Union Cabinet saw a postscript with Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptullah tendering her resignation, and her deputy, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi being given independent charge of that ministry.
G M Siddheswara, Davangere MP and MoS for heavy industries also tendered his resignation. Both resignations have been accepted by President Pranab Mukherjee. Minister of state for Urban Development, Babul Supriyo has been assigned the Ministry of Heavy Industries, after being divested of his former charge.
Ms Heptullah, who had been the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha for many years, had been abroad during the Cabinet reshuffle last week, and tendered her resignation when she returned.
According to top sources in the government, Ms Heptullah had fallen within the “75 age rule” or Prime Minister Modi’s preference for a Cabinet below that age, but that is not the only reason. “Even Kalraj Mishra (Union minister for Medium and Small scale enterprises) falls in that age category but he is a Lok Sabha MP from Deoria in Eastern UP and his presence in the Cabinet adheres to a political calculation,” said the source. Ms Heptullah’s exit therefore was less political and more to do with the Prime Minister’s governance goals. She could be considered for a gubernatorial assignment, sources add.
Mr Siddheshwara was to have resigned on the day of the reshuffle (July 5th) but had asked for a week’s time. “His constituents had arranged a big public meeting on the day of the reshuffle in connection with his birthday, which falls around that time. He did not want the embarrassment of being dropped from the council of ministers and had asked for some time. This was granted, with the understanding that the resignation would be forthcoming after Prime Minister Modi returned from his trip to Africa,” said a senior BJP leader.
Minister of state for Urban Development Babul Supriyo has been assigned to the ministry of heavy industries in the same rank. The minister, who is to marry soon, was reportedly not getting along with information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu (who holds additional charge of urban development) and there were question marks over his performance as well.
With this, Prime Minister Modi’s massive reshuffle of his ministry is now deemed complete.
