LUCKNOW: What will be Uttar Pradesh’s share in the Union cabinet? The question weighs heavy given the BJP’s dismal performance in the state. However, informed sources in the party said that the politically crucial state is still expected to weigh prominently in the distribution of cabinet berths, but with a reduced strength as compared to the 17th Lok Sabha.
Sources said that PM-designateModi may strike a balance with all six regions and the alliance partners from state while choosing his council of ministers.
Until now, the Union cabinet had 26 cabinet ministers, four Ministers of State (independent charge) and 47 MoS. UP, which sent 64 MPs in 2019 – added two more LS seats in 2022bypolls – of BJP-led NDA, had a representation of 10 Union ministers and MoS, excluding PM Modi, who represented Varanasi (Kashi region).
As a matter of fact, seven out of the 10 ministers, including Smriti Irani, Mahendra Nath Pandey, Sanjeev Balyan, Ajay Mishra Teni, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Kaushal Kishore and Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, got defeated in the 18th Lok Sabha polls.
The three who would secure their seats included defence minister Rajnath Singh (Lucknow), MoS (finance) Pankaj Chaudhary (Maharajganj) and MoS (law and justice) SP Singh Baghel (Agra). Apna Dal (S) chief Anupriya Patel, who is also MoS (commerce and industry), too, won from Mirzapur.
With NDA strength shrinking to just 36 (33 of BJP, 2 of RLD and 1 AD) in UP, speculations are rife that the state’s representation in the Union cabinet may get reduced accordingly. Sources indicated that close to six MPs may still manage to make it to the Union council of ministers (cabinet/MoS).
This is expected to include at least one minister from the Jayant Chaudhary-led RLD. Sources also do not rule out the possibility of Jayant himself getting a cabinet berth since he is also a Rajya Sabha member – a move that could potentially relay signals to the politically crucial Jat community in the west UP and beyond. Until now, BJP has been propping Muzaffarnagar MP and Union minister Sanjeev Balyan as a key Jat face. Balyan, however, lost to SP’s Harinder Malik, also a Jat.
Likewise, chances of Anupriya getting back in the council of ministers, too, are equally bright amid BJP’s concerted bid to consolidate the Kurmi vote bank in the Vindhyachal region. Sources indicated that she was one of the key allies who shared the dais with Modi when he was elected the leader of the NDA.
Focus is expected to be equally sharp on the east UP region where the BJP suffered major losses – the party lost around 18 seats vis-à-vis 2019 in east UP. Analysts said that the NDA is expected to strike a caste balance with a special focus on OBCs in the region. Sources said that the saffron outfit may also play the upper caste card to consolidate its position amongst Brahmins and Thakurs in the region.
While top UP BJP brass refused to comment, party’s UP spokesperson Hero Bajpai maintained that the party has the culture of giving adequate representation to all stakeholders and regions.
Sources said that PM-designateModi may strike a balance with all six regions and the alliance partners from state while choosing his council of ministers.
Until now, the Union cabinet had 26 cabinet ministers, four Ministers of State (independent charge) and 47 MoS. UP, which sent 64 MPs in 2019 – added two more LS seats in 2022bypolls – of BJP-led NDA, had a representation of 10 Union ministers and MoS, excluding PM Modi, who represented Varanasi (Kashi region).
As a matter of fact, seven out of the 10 ministers, including Smriti Irani, Mahendra Nath Pandey, Sanjeev Balyan, Ajay Mishra Teni, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Kaushal Kishore and Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, got defeated in the 18th Lok Sabha polls.
The three who would secure their seats included defence minister Rajnath Singh (Lucknow), MoS (finance) Pankaj Chaudhary (Maharajganj) and MoS (law and justice) SP Singh Baghel (Agra). Apna Dal (S) chief Anupriya Patel, who is also MoS (commerce and industry), too, won from Mirzapur.
With NDA strength shrinking to just 36 (33 of BJP, 2 of RLD and 1 AD) in UP, speculations are rife that the state’s representation in the Union cabinet may get reduced accordingly. Sources indicated that close to six MPs may still manage to make it to the Union council of ministers (cabinet/MoS).
This is expected to include at least one minister from the Jayant Chaudhary-led RLD. Sources also do not rule out the possibility of Jayant himself getting a cabinet berth since he is also a Rajya Sabha member – a move that could potentially relay signals to the politically crucial Jat community in the west UP and beyond. Until now, BJP has been propping Muzaffarnagar MP and Union minister Sanjeev Balyan as a key Jat face. Balyan, however, lost to SP’s Harinder Malik, also a Jat.
Likewise, chances of Anupriya getting back in the council of ministers, too, are equally bright amid BJP’s concerted bid to consolidate the Kurmi vote bank in the Vindhyachal region. Sources indicated that she was one of the key allies who shared the dais with Modi when he was elected the leader of the NDA.
Focus is expected to be equally sharp on the east UP region where the BJP suffered major losses – the party lost around 18 seats vis-à-vis 2019 in east UP. Analysts said that the NDA is expected to strike a caste balance with a special focus on OBCs in the region. Sources said that the saffron outfit may also play the upper caste card to consolidate its position amongst Brahmins and Thakurs in the region.
While top UP BJP brass refused to comment, party’s UP spokesperson Hero Bajpai maintained that the party has the culture of giving adequate representation to all stakeholders and regions.