Gadkari, Goyal, Athawale, Jadhav, Khadse Likely as Union Ministers; NCP’s Fate Undecided

Gadkari, Goyal, Athawale, Jadhav, Khadse Likely as Union Ministers; NCP’s Fate Undecided

Keywords: Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Ramdas Athawale, Prataprao Jadhav, Raksha Khadse, Union Cabinet, NCP

Sources indicate that Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Ramdas Athawale, Prataprao Jadhav, and Raksha Khadse are among the frontrunners to be included in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Union Cabinet.

Gadkari, the current Minister of Road Transport and Highways, is expected to retain his portfolio or receive a promotion. Goyal, who holds the portfolios of Commerce and Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, is also likely to continue in his current roles.

Athawale, the chief of the Republican Party of India (A), is a long-time ally of the BJP and could be inducted into the cabinet for the first time. Jadhav, a former Shiv Sena MP, and Khadse, the wife of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Khadse, are also considered potential candidates.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is in alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra, is yet to decide on its representation in the Union Cabinet. Sources suggest that the party may seek a single cabinet berth or settle for a minister of state position.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new Union Council of Ministers is expected to take place on May 30th. The final list of ministers and their portfolios will be announced shortly before the ceremony.