PM Narendra Modi's Cabinet rejig: Expansion focus on Bengal, Bihar

NEW DELHI: The first expansion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ministry six months after it came to office clearly reflects the importance the party attaches to the two states of Bihar and West Bengal.

In a recent interview to TOI, BJP chief Amit Shah said that Bihar and West Bengal were priority areas and the party would focus on them after the polls in Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir. The thrust on the two states was evident from the inclusion of three new ministers from Bihar, which holds assembly elections next year.

The ministerial tally from the state now stands at seven, including LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan, an NDA ally. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Ram Kripal Yadav and Giriraj Singh were inducted into the Modi ministry on Sunday with Rudy as minister of state with independent charge and the two others as junior ministers.

The BJP's intent to make deep inroads into West Bengal before the 2016 assembly polls was reflected when first-time MP Babul Supriyo was made minister of state. The singer entered politics with a BJP ticket from Asansol and surprised all by winning a tough contest.

A popular singer and actor, the party's new mascot is expected to criss-cross Bengal singing praises of the Modi government and promoting BJP's governance and development agenda as the party gears up for municipal polls and then the assembly elections.