Shah cancels TN visit, sets off buzz on cabinet reshuffle

BJP president Amit Shah's last-minute cancellation of his three-day Tamil Nadu trip has sparked off speculation of a union cabinet reshuffle which may see induction of new faces to accommodate NDA allies and dropping some non-performing ministers.

Shah was scheduled to fly out to Chennai on Tuesday as part of his nationwide tour to expand the party's base and seek ground report ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. But, the BJP chief cancelled his visit due to the pressing need to have his presence in the national capital in the coming days, said party sources.

After the JDU formal announcement of joining the NDA, the BJP's ruling coalition partner in Bihar will be rewarded with a berth in the Modi government. The buzz among the political circles is that JDU may get between one to two portfolios at the centre depending on the negotiations with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. There are already half-a-dozen union ministers from Bihar, which includes two from NDA allies LJP and RLSP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may opt for drafting more leaders from South into his government -- which, a senior BJP leader stated, was crucial to party's expansion plan to attract more eyeballs in the non-Hindi speaking belt ahead of 2019 elections.

The swiftness at which AIADMK's merger took place is being looked at with curiosity as former chief minister Jayalalitha's party may join the NDA and the central government. Other than that party sources do not rule out giving more chances to party leaders from poll-bound Karnataka.

Besides, that Modi has to fill up vacancies in defence, urban development, environment and information and broadcasting that arose after Manohar Parrikar was shifted to become chief minister of Goa, M Venkaiah Naidu was elected vice president of India and Anil Dave's death.

Sources said non-performing ministers are also likely to be shown the door due to PM's overemphasis on a time-bound delivery of government schemes. The BJP has already gone into election mould and shortlisted union ministers and senior leaders for managing 120 constituencies that it could not win earlier but believes can turn it around in 2019 elections.