Target 2019 Lok Sabha polls: Caste, region and religion clearly visible in Cabinet reshuffle

NEW DELHI: The 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the state polls scheduled in between and the political considerations of caste, region and religion are clearly visible in the third expansion of the Union Council of Ministers.

Modi has inducted Gajendra Singh Shekhawat from Rajasthan, Virendra Kumar from MP and Ananth Kumar Hegde from Karnataka — three states that will have assembly elections before 2019.

Shekhawat is a Rajput leader from Rajasthan and his appointment may help BJP build bridges with the community that has recently been unhappy with the Vasundhara Raje government. Another Rajput leader from the state, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, has been elevated as minister of state (independent charge) for sports and youth affairs. Shekhawat will also be a challenge to Congress leader Ashok Gehlot who too belongs to the Jodhpur region. Similarly, Kumar is a Dalit leader from the Bundelkhand region. As a Union minister, he will be second Dalit face from MP in Team Modi.

Social justice minister TC Gehlot was the Dalit face from the state in the government. Kumar’s growing clout can affect dynamics with the MP unit of BJP in future.

Hegde, a Brahmin representing Uttara Kannada, has the image of a Hindutva hardliner. In 1996, as a 26-year old, he shot to fame as a “giant killer” when he defeated senior Congress leader Margaret Alva.

Though one with the reputation of a strongman who has made controversial statements on Islam and got into fisticuffs with doctors, he is useful as he has been winning LS polls since 1996. Modi and Shah have also done a balancing act in UP. Satyapal Singh, a Jat leader, has been made a Union minister replacing Sanjeev Balyan who belonged to his caste and, like him, also hailed from western UP. Similarly, SP Shukla replaces Kalraj Mishra. Both ShuklaandMishraareBrahminsfrom eastern UP. Shukla getting a berth will also placate the Brahmins from Gorakhpur region who were downcast after Yogi Adityanath — a Thakur who has had a running feud with Shukla for years — was made UP CM.

The significance of eastern UP and adjoining Bihar for Modi, who represents Varanasi, is obvious after this reshuffle. Every Lok Sabha seat on the Varanasi-Patna route is represented by a minister. Manoj Sinha (Ghazipur), Ashwani Kumar Choubey (Buxar), RK Singh (Arrah) and Ram Kripal Yadav (Patna) represent these constituencies.

The caste representation in Bihar has also been kept intact with RK Singh replacing a fellow Thakur Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Incidentally, Singh is also close to Bihar chief minister and JDU leader Nitish Kumar.

“Demolition Man” from Kerala, KJ Alphons is a surprise entry into the ministry. His induction will help BJP increase its footprint in south. A Christian, Alphons has often criticised the Left in Kerala. Hardeep Puri will be second Sikh in the government after SS Ahluwalia. BJP has also elevated MA Naqvi, belonging to the Shia Muslim community that has a soft corner for the party in some pockets, to cabinet rank. Dharmendra Pradhan’s work is not the only reason for his elevation — the party is also promoting him in Odisha politics.

Target: Next general elections
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(With inputs from Sanjay Singh)