Cabinet rejig: Ahead of elections, non-performers out

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 7

The underlying message in the mega Cabinet shake-up, especially the resignation by top leaders like Prakash Javadekar, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Harsh Vardhan, is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of “gaps and shortcomings” in his government which he wanted to cover/fill in time for 2024, when the next General Election are to be held.

Over the past few years, the PM had been holding a string of review meetings for the return to normalcy in governance amid the Covid-19 pandemic. While many, including the Opposition, may call these resignations a “proof of their failure as ministers”, BJP sources say the PM has been dropping hints that “non-performers will be eased out” all along.

He has been underlining the importance of performance and attendance at many of BJP’s internal meetings, including the Parliamentary party meetings. With the mega midterm changeover, the PM today created a whole new set of leaders and a bench strength for his party, sending the message that it takes performance and hard work to remain in his council.