Singh’s Rajya Sabha term ends on July 7. Singh has to get elected to either the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha in six months to continue as a Union minister. Singh must now be regretting that day in 2021, when he allegedly included his name in the JD(U) list for a cabinet berth, without consulting Nitish Kumar
Ram Manohar Lohia’s dream being realised, says UP CM
PM Modi also expressed his concerns about the persistently high number of COVID-19 cases being reported from Maharashtra and Kerala.
The exit has come as a surprise for many as it happens at a time when the country is preparing for the third wave of COVID-19.
The ministers who took oath of office include 36 new faces and seven ministers of state who were elevated.
Swearing-in of newly inducted ministers took place at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence. As many as 43 leaders will take oath today in the Union Cabinet expansion. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ramachandra Prasad Singh, Ashwini Vasihnaw Narayan, Dr Virendra Kumar, Pashupati Kumar Paras, Kiren Rijiju and Raj Kumar Singh have taken oath as ministers in the new Cabinet. Hardeep Singh Puri, Mansukh Mandaviya and Bhupender Yadav also took oath
The new Cabinet will reportedly have 11 women ministers, including two Cabinet ministers. The average age of new council of ministers will be 58 years. The average age of the present Council is 61. As many as 14 ministers, including six Cabinet ministers, will be below 50 years in age.
The rejig, first overhaul of the PM Modi government since it came to power for the second term in 2019, comes days ahead of the scheduled Monsoon Session of the Parliament and a year before the assembly election in five states, including Uttar Pradesh
The expansion, first of the PM Modi's second cabinet, is likely to factor in representation from the five poll-bound states and also the 2024 general election, the reports said.
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on July 4 said BJP central leadership has not held in any discussion with him on the Union Cabinet expansion and that his party will not stand on anybody's doors seeking favours