NEW DELHI: Significantly, Shiv Sena will not figure in the second expansion of Modi's ministry despite indications that its tensions with BJP may have begun to heal, something which political circles attributed to continuing divergence between the two sides over what rank, Cabinet or MOS, should Anil Desai, widely tipped to be Uddhav Thackeray's nominee, get. Except for Anupriya Singh Patel, all the additions will be from the BJP. Even Patel is expected to merge her Apna Dal with the BJP before taking oath as a minister of state
The expansion is expected to be accompanied by some exits with ministers of state Ram Shankar Katheria, Nihal Chand, Sanwar Lal Jat, Mansukh Vasava, Mohan Kundaria and G M Siddheshwara likely to be dropped. A few of those who are on their way out, especially Katheria, may be drafted in the BJP organization which is due for a recast.
No changes at the Cabinet level are expected, though there was a possibility of a few portfolios being re-assigned.
The ministers to be sworn in on Tuesday include five from the Scheduled Castes, two from the Scheduled Tribes, two from the minorities and two women leaders. They hail from 10 states of UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Assam. Sources said the framework set out by the PM aims to select "doers and performers" who can be expected to deliver on his vision of development and good governance that has a "gaon, garib, kisan (village, poor, farmer)" focus.
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