Rajiv Pratap Rudy quits Modi ministry, more resignations expected; Arun Jaitley may give up Defence

Rajiv Pratap Rudy represents Bihar's Saran Lok Sabha constituency.

File images

Delhi: A reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers appears imminent with Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State (independent charge), Skill Development and Entrepreneurship resigning on Thursday.

There are also reports that some more ministers in the BJP-led NDA government may quit. 

"Yes, I have put in my papers and it is part of the process," Rudy told IANS over phone.

However, he did not elaborate on the reasons behind his resignation.

The reshuffle exercise may take place before Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for China on Sunday. 

President Ram Nath Kovind embarks on a two-day visit to Andhra Pradesh on Friday and will be returning on Saturday.

Meanwhile, BJP chief Amit Shah, who held a meeting with several ministers at his residence in the morning today, along with general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal, met the PM later in the day.

On the other hand, Uma Bharti, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister, has offered to quit, citing health reasons, as per Zee News sources.

Faggan Singh Kulaste, MoS, Health and Family Welfare, Mahendra Nath Pandey, Mos, Human Resource Development ​and Uma's deputy Sanjeev Balyan may also tender their resignations.

Earlier in the day, Pandey was appointed Uttar Pradesh BJP president in place of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

Kalraj Mishra, who met BJP chief Amit Shah today, too may resign, PTI quoted sources as saying. He is well above 75 years, the age bar the party has informally set for ministers.

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman may also go, as per media reports.

Interestingly, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earlier today had hinted that he would not continue to hold the defence portfolio for long.

"At least not for very long," the FM had said in response to questions by the media on how long he would continue as Defence Minister.

He was given the additional portfolio after Manohar Parrikar resigned as defence minister to become CM of Goa. 

Textiles Minister Smriti Irani is also holding additional charge of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and so is Rural Development Minister Narendra Tomar, who was given responsibility of the Urban Development Ministry after M Venkaiah Naidu's resignation.

Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan too is holding additional charge of the Environment portfolio following the death of Anil Madhav Dave in May.

(With Agency inputs)