Delhi’s power corridors are abuzz with political speculation about the contours of the new Union Council of Ministers, with key allies of the BJP seeking adequate representation as the saffron party stopped short of a full majority in the Lok Sabha elections.
News18 has learnt that the TDP wishes for at least 3-4 berths in the Union Cabinet – they had one minister and one MoS in earlier term with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with same number of 16 seats as now. The Minister of Civil Aviation and Minister of State IT was earlier from the TDP till the party pulled out of the NDA government in 2018. Now, MoS Finance is expected to be a key post for the TDP, plus two-three other full ministries, which helps in the development of Andhra Pradesh, sources said.
Another key issue is the demand for ‘special status’ for Andhra Pradesh, but the nomenclature no longer exists. Instead, Andhra Pradesh may be promised adequate infusion of funds for the state as desired by Chandrababu Naidu, sources said.
‘Special status’ is a touchy topic for Naidu as he walked out of the NDA in 2018 over the issue. The TDP is also keen for help in the development of Amravati as the state capital, a project close to Naidu’s heart.
The JD-U in 2019 had wanted four cabinet berths with 16 MPs – Nitish Kumar had gone on record to confirm that while quitting the NDA alliance later. The JD-U did not join after the same was not given by BJP which had full majority of own. The BJP later inducted RCP Singh in the cabinet as the sole representative of JD-U, but he also quit later and joined the BJP. This time, the JD-U has 12 MPs but its position more important than it was in 2019.
Sources said JD-U could be eyeing three cabinet berths plus an MoS berth this time as well. Ministries close to Bihar’s interests like Agriculture, Rural Development and Jal Shakti are being spoken about for the JD-U, as per sources. Lallan Singh as a minister is being speculated as well.
Chirag Paswan of the LJP is expected to become a full-time minister like his father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, as the party has won all five seats it contested.
Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena with seven seats could also join the Union Cabinet with a minister and an MoS berth. The names of Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde and Shrirang Barne are doing the rounds. There is also buzz also about Jana Sena getting a berth, along with the JD-S. Praful Patel or Sunil Tatkare could also get a look-in from the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, sources told News18.
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