Is union cabinet reshuffle in the offing?

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on President Draupadi Murmu on Sunday, setting political circles abuzz with speculation that a reshuffle of the union cabinet is on the cards.

The meeting came days after former Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankar stunned everyone with his sudden resignation from the post.

Though he cited health grounds as the reason for his decision, there is more to it than meets the eye.

It is customary for a Prime Minister to brief the President regarding any development. It is said that the Prime Minister apprised the President about Dhankar's resignation, and also the possible rejig in the union cabinet.

It is over a year since Modi took oath as the Prime Minister for a third term. Since then, there have been no changes in his cabinet.

With assembly elections in Bihar a few months away, polls will be held in five states of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry next year.

The impending cabinet reshuffle is expected to accommodate some entrants from these states.

The ruling BJP also has to identify its candidate for the Vice President's elections scheduled to be held on September 9. With numbers on its side, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set to win the elections.

It is further said that the BJP leadership is mulling to field one of its union ministers as its candidate for the Vice President's election. In that case too, the rejig is possible.

Many have argued that a reshuffle is generally not carried out in the middle of a Parliament session. But that is a call the Prime Minister will take, and he is known for throwing up surprises as seen in the past eleven years.