New governors to eight states: Cabinet expansion today

(PTI) New Delhi, Dt

In the country's capital, New Delhi, speculation of an expansion in the Modi government's cabinet has gained momentum in recent times, with eight governors being replaced simultaneously for the first time in the country. The Modi government has shocked everyone by appointing Union Minister Thavarchand Gehlot as the Governor of Karnataka. Some governors have been replaced in the reshuffle of governors while new governors have been appointed in some states, Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, on the issue of inclusion of JD-U leaders in the Union Cabinet, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that the decision taken by PM Modi will be valid. In addition Pashupati Paras from LJP is likely to be included.

According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, Social Welfare and Empowerment Minister Thavarchand Gehlot has been appointed as the Governor of Karnataka. Gehlot will replace Vajubhaiwala in Karnataka. Vajubhai was the Governor of Karnataka since 2012. Besides, other senior BJP leaders have been made governors in Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh. Mizoram Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai has been transferred as Goa Governor while Haryana Governor Satyadeva Narayan Arya has been appointed as Tripura Governor. Tripura Governor Ramesh Bais has been shifted to Jharkhand.

Bandaru Dattatreya has been transferred from Himachal Pradesh and made the Governor of Haryana. Haribabu Kambhampati has been appointed as the Governor of Mizoram. Gujarat BJP leader Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel has been made the Governor of Madhya Pradesh. The post has long been held by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel as an additional hawala. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will be the Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

For the first time in the second term of the Modi government, there is speculation that a major reshuffle is taking place in the Union Cabinet. Prime Minister Modi may expand the cabinet on Wednesday or Thursday. The Union Cabinet may have 21 members, but currently has eight members. This means that the cabinet can still have 6 members. As a result, the burden of ministers with more than one ministry can be eased in this expansion. The cabinet expansion is likely to see the appointment of new ministers in view of the elections to be held in five states next year as well as the Lok Sabha elections in 2022.

In Bihar, ANA's ally JD-U has softened its stance on joining the Union Cabinet. After winning the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the JDU refused to join the government as it got less seats than expected in the cabinet. However, now softening his stance, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, "We will accept whatever Prime Minister Modi decides on inclusion in the government." JDU president RCP Singh has been given the authority by the party to negotiate with the BJP. In this cabinet expansion, three from the JDU could be made ministers.

On the other hand, Pashupati Paras, brother of the late LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan, is likely to get a seat in the cabinet. Objecting to Prime Minister Modi on the issue, Chirag Paswan, son of Ram Vilas Paswan, said, "If Kaka Pashupati Paras is made a minister from the LJP's quota, I will oppose it and resort to court if necessary." I don't mind if he becomes a minister as an independent.