Modi government nears two years, signals organisational and Cabinet changes.
As the Narendra Modi-led government prepares to complete two years of its third term in office, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to undertake a major political and organisational recalibration, with a Cabinet reshuffle and the formation of a new national team under BJP president Nitin Navin expected to take place simultaneously in June, according to party and government sources.
The simultaneous exercises — a possible reshuffle in the Union Cabinet and restructuring within the BJP organisation — are being seen as part of a broader political strategy aimed at strengthening governance as well as the party apparatus ahead of the 2027 electoral contests.
Sources told The Sunday Guardian that the long-awaited expansion of the Union Council of Ministers could see the induction of several younger and relatively lesser-known leaders, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on building a long-term leadership pipeline within the party.
The reshuffle is also expected to factor in states heading for Assembly elections in 2027. According to sources, the BJP leadership is carefully assessing regional representation and caste equations to sharpen its political messaging in poll-bound states.
Sources further indicated that the party could induct new faces from West Bengal, where the BJP recently registered its first electoral victory. Party insiders said the proposed reshuffle is likely to prioritise leaders in the 40–55 age bracket while also assessing the performance of existing ministers. “The BJP leadership wants to adopt a more performance-driven approach ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections,” a senior leader familiar with the discussions said.
According to sources, both ministers and organisational office-bearers are expected to undergo detailed performance reviews. Leaders considered active and effective may be rewarded with greater responsibilities, while those seen as underperforming could face reassignment or removal.
Sources also indicated that some current Union ministers may be shifted to important organisational roles under the new BJP team headed by Nitin Navin. Simultaneously, several senior leaders presently working within the party organisation are likely to be inducted into the Union Cabinet as part of the reshuffle.
Notably, discussions regarding the formation of a new national team under Nitin Navin have reportedly intensified in recent weeks. Since assuming charge as party president on January 20, Navin has been engaged in consultations aimed at restructuring the organisation and finalising key appointments. Sources said deliberations are now in the final stages and an announcement regarding the new team could be made soon. The saffron party is likely to give greater prominence to younger leaders in the revamped organisational structure, particularly those below the age of 50. At the same time, senior and experienced leaders are expected to retain important positions to ensure continuity and internal balance.
There is also speculation that several new faces may be appointed as BJP national general secretaries as part of a broader effort to bring leaders from different states onto the national stage and groom a new generation of leadership. Women leaders, too, are expected to receive greater representation in the revamped organisational setup.
Political observers point to earlier Cabinet reshuffles under Modi’s leadership as an indication that another expansion may be imminent. During his first term, Modi carried out his first Cabinet expansion in November 2014, followed by major reshuffles in July 2016 and September 2017. In his second term, a significant Cabinet expansion took place in July 2021, while ministerial portfolios were reshuffled again in May 2023.
Against this backdrop, party insiders believe the completion of two years of the Modi government’s third term could provide the occasion for another major recalibration of the Council of Ministers. Currently, the Union Council of Ministers has 72 members, while the constitutional ceiling permits up to 81 ministers. This has further fuelled speculation that several new faces could be inducted, while the responsibilities of some existing ministers may also be revised.
