NEW DELHI: Though the BJP claimed its chief Amit Shah deferred his visit to Tamil Nadu on account of the AIADMK merger, speculations of a Cabinet reshuffle were rife in the national capital. Shah’s meetings with Union Ministers Birendra Singh, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Upendra Kushwaha on Monday morning fuelled these speculations.
BJP sources hinted at an expansion of the council of ministers by the end of the month, to include members of newly-inducted ally JD(U) and likely partner AIADMK.
“The BJP chief had to postpone his Tamil Nadu visit over the political developments in the State. Now that the two factions are united, the path is clear for their induction into the NDA,” said a senior party functionary. “This will have to be reflected in the party’s representation at the Centre.”
Kushwaha, chief of the RLSP, who met Shah separately, has been “cold” with the BJP in the recent times, claimed sources. “This might be due to the BJP-JD(U) alliance.” Besides, the JD(U) is set to bag at least one Cabinet berth though it has just two Lok Sabha MPs. The RLSP also has two Lok Sabha MPs.