BJP may fine-tune caste equations from UP in Modi Cabinet rejig

Lucknow: BJP’s decision to drop Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and BL Verma from the Rajya Sabha has stirred buzz over a likely overhaul of Uttar Pradesh’s representation in the Modi Cabinet, with the party weighing the chances of inducting new faces ahead of the Assembly elections.The induction of new faces from the state into the Union council of ministers could provide BJP the opportunity to balance caste representation, reward organisational work and reinforce its electoral narrative.At present, besides PM Narendra Modi, UP is represented by 10 Union ministers: Rajnath Singh, Hardeep Singh Puri, Jayant Chaudhary, Jitin Prasada, Pankaj Chaudhary, Anupriya Patel, SP Singh Baghel, Kirti Vardhan Singh, BL Verma and Kamlesh Paswan.With Puri and Verma set to exit the Rajya Sabha, BJP is already looking at a reshuffle of its ministerial representation from the state. Puri’s exit is notable because unlike most of the other ministers from UP, his political role has not been rooted in the state’s caste and electoral arithmetic.Verma, on the other hand, has been an important Lodh face in western Uttar Pradesh. Sources said the party is contemplating replacing Verma with a new Lodh face from UP.The reshuffle could acquire another dimension if Union minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary is also relieved of his ministerial responsibility. A seven-term MP from Maharajganj, Chaudhary, a Kurmi, was appointed UP BJP president in Dec last year. His continuation in the Union Cabinet would mean that he continues to hold two significant responsibilities of minister as we all as heading the state party organisation.A decision to drop him from the ministry would underline BJP’s preference for “one person, one post”, while allowing Chaudhary to devote entirely to the party’s preparations for the UP elections.If Puri, Verma and Chaudhary all cease to be members of the Union council of ministers then UP’s representation would fall from 10 to seven. That reduction, however, is unlikely to be viewed merely as a numerical loss within the BJP. Party strategists see the reshuffle as an opportunity to reset the social composition of the Union ministry from UP.“The party will consider all equations including caste, region and emerging leadership whenever it effects a reshuffle in the Union Cabinet. It is an important call to be taken by the party’s leadership,” said UP BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai.According to BJP sources, the party is considering members belonging to the Brahmin, Lodh and Pasi communities for possible induction into the Modi ministry.The proposed exercise fits into the BJP’s effort to finetune its social coalition in Uttar Pradesh. The party has already stepped up its outreach to non-Yadav OBCs, Dalits, women and younger voters, while simultaneously seeking to retain its traditional upper-caste support base.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.