State BJP eyes four berths in Modi govt

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh BJP gave the party its biggest victory in any state — all 29 seats — in the 2024 Lok Sabha election and is likely to reap the rewards for it.
Sources in the party said that the state unit may get at least four Union ministry berths, perhaps one more, in the third Narendra Modi cabinet. Those likely to be inducted include former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, state BJP chief VD Sharma and Union social justice minister Virendra Khatik.Mandla MP Faggan Singh Kulaste’s name is also doing the rounds for an MoS berth.
The state party leadership believes Madhya Pradesh could get at least three ministers of cabinet rank and two MoS berths at the Centre.
With BJP’s setbacks in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and coalition pressures ahead, the party will need to make compromises but is keen to retain five main portfolios — finance, defence, home, foreign affairs and information and broadcasting, say sources. A senior cabinet minister in MP said stalwarts from the state may not be considered for these portfolios. BJP is also determined to keep the post of Speaker of Lok Sabha.
If portfolios like agriculture development or HRD are not available in the alliance equation, Shivraj Singh Chouhan could be given a different role of significant importance.
All eyes in Madhya Pradesh BJP are also on the post of BJP national president. JP Nadda completes his tenure on June 30, and there is already speculation that he could replace Piyush Goyal as leader in Rajya Sabha.
BJP’s top brass, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nadda held a meeting on Thursday morning on govt formation and division of ministerial berths in the third NDA regime. In Madhya Pradesh on the same day, chief minister Mohan Yadav met newly elected BJP MPs and then left for New Delhi.
After reaching Delhi, CM Yadav said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long administrative experience. He has achieved the impossible by securing such a big victory of NDA. We are fortunate to have this opportunity because in the 21st century the world is looking towards India. I am happy that Narendra Modi will be taking oath again as Prime Minister.” VD Sharma also arrived in Delhi in the evening.