Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi, Nov 7: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday November 6, speculations are flying thick and thin over the possible permutations and combinations in connection with reshuffle and expansion of the union ministry on Sunday November 9.

Goa chief minister, Manohar Parrikar, has already given his nod for the proposal to join the central cabinet. There are bright chances of him being made the defence minister. At present, Arun Jaitley has been holding charge of this ministry in addition to finance. Parrikar, who had visited New Delhi on Thursday, returned after meeting Modi and BJP national president, Amit Shah. On his return to Panaji, he confirmed that he has been asked to be prepared to shoulder prime responsibility at the centre.

It is widely perceived that D V Sadananda Gowda, railway minister, has failed to live up to the expectation of bringing fast-paced changes in his ministry, and it is said that Modi himself is not too happy with his performance. If sources in BJP are to be trusted upon, DVS may be given a less important portfolio. There is every chance of Nitin Gadkari being given the railway ministry, it is learnt. Gadkari presently holds the ministry of national highways and rural development. Rural development ministry may be entrusted to some other minister. Gadkari may be given highways, shipping, and railways departments.

Sources added that the Prime Minister is not satisfied with the performances of ministers, Radha Mohan (agriculture) and Sripad Naik (tourism). Both are expected to lose their posts.