PM Meets President as Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz Intensifies
George Kurian quits Union Council of Ministers; more exits and organisational changes likely as BJP prepares for a broader political overhaul
New Delhi, Jun 24: Speculation over an impending Union Cabinet reshuffle intensified on Tuesday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, hours after Union Minister of State George Kurian resigned from the Council of Ministers.
The President’s Secretariat shared photographs of the meeting on social media, stating that the Prime Minister had called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Sources said the interaction took place following the civil investiture ceremony for the Padma Awards.
Earlier in the day, President Murmu accepted Kurian’s resignation with immediate effect on the advice of the Prime Minister. A communiqué issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said the resignation was accepted under Article 75(2) of the Constitution, which provides that ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President.
Political circles view Kurian’s departure as the first step in a possible reorganisation of the Union Council of Ministers. Sources indicated that a few other Ministers of State could also be relieved of their responsibilities in the coming days as part of a broader restructuring exercise.
Recent organisational appointments within the Bharatiya Janata Party have further fuelled expectations of changes in the government. Some ministers have been entrusted with significant party responsibilities in their respective states, signalling a potential realignment between governance and organisational roles.
Kurian, a senior BJP leader from Kerala, was serving as Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. He had entered the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh in August 2024.
The anticipated reshuffle comes amid indications that the BJP leadership is reviewing both the party’s organisational framework and the composition of the government. Senior leaders have held a series of consultations in recent months to assess political priorities and administrative performance.
Sources said the exercise is aimed at strengthening the government’s functioning while aligning it with the party’s evolving political strategy ahead of key electoral challenges and future parliamentary sessions.
