File pic: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
New Delhi:
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party is a BJP ally, today confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon expand his cabinet.
"You will know details about the cabinet expansion in two days," Mr Naidu told NDTV.
Amid swirling speculation, Mr Naidu's comments are the first confirmation of reports that PM Modi will expand his cabinet to reduce the load of ministers with multiple portfolios and to appoint a new Defence Minister.
Mr Modi's meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee this morning intensified speculation.
The two met when PM Modi visited the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhawan for "Gurbani" or Sikh prayers to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
There are currently 22 cabinet members and another 22 ministers of state, including 10 with independent charge. Many party heavyweights like Nitin Gadkari lead multiple ministries. Arun Jaitley doubles up as Finance and Defence Minister.
Manohar Parrikar, the Chief Minister of Goa, has responded cautiously to speculation that he will soon take over one of Mr Jaitley's departments - Defence. After meeting PM Modi in Delhi yesterday, the 58-year-old told reporters, "I came here to discuss Goa issues. (Mr Modi) did not say anything about that (becoming a union minister)...you should ask him."
Before returning to Goa today, Mr Parrikar, who also met BJP president Amit Shah, chided reporters for "putting the horse before the cart" and said they should "ask the prime minister."
"You will know details about the cabinet expansion in two days," Mr Naidu told NDTV.
Amid swirling speculation, Mr Naidu's comments are the first confirmation of reports that PM Modi will expand his cabinet to reduce the load of ministers with multiple portfolios and to appoint a new Defence Minister.
Mr Modi's meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee this morning intensified speculation.
The two met when PM Modi visited the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhawan for "Gurbani" or Sikh prayers to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
There are currently 22 cabinet members and another 22 ministers of state, including 10 with independent charge. Many party heavyweights like Nitin Gadkari lead multiple ministries. Arun Jaitley doubles up as Finance and Defence Minister.
Manohar Parrikar, the Chief Minister of Goa, has responded cautiously to speculation that he will soon take over one of Mr Jaitley's departments - Defence. After meeting PM Modi in Delhi yesterday, the 58-year-old told reporters, "I came here to discuss Goa issues. (Mr Modi) did not say anything about that (becoming a union minister)...you should ask him."
Before returning to Goa today, Mr Parrikar, who also met BJP president Amit Shah, chided reporters for "putting the horse before the cart" and said they should "ask the prime minister."
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