New Delhi: Speculation about a possible reshuffle of the Union Cabinet has intensified after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) excluded two serving ministers from its list of candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
While announcing 11 candidates for the June 18 Rajya Sabha polls, the BJP did not renominate Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu from Rajasthan or Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian from Madhya Pradesh.
Instead, the party fielded BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh from Madhya Pradesh and senior leader Satish Poonia, currently in charge of Haryana BJP affairs, from Rajasthan.
The decision has fuelled speculation over the future of both ministers in the Union Cabinet, as their current Rajya Sabha terms are nearing completion. Without a fresh nomination or election to either House of Parliament, their continuation in the Council of Ministers could become difficult.
Political circles are now closely watching who could emerge as a possible replacement if changes are made to the Cabinet. With Punjab heading towards Assembly elections next year, party strategists are believed to be keen on maintaining representation from the state in the Union government.
Among the names being discussed are Tarun Chugh and former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, both considered prominent Hindu faces of the party in Punjab. Their inclusion, if it happens, could help the BJP balance its political outreach in a state where Jat Sikh leaders traditionally hold significant influence.
The BJP recently appointed Kewal Singh Dhillon as the party’s Punjab unit president, a move widely seen as an effort to strengthen its appeal among Jat Sikh voters. Political observers believe the party may now seek to balance that strategy by promoting a leader from the Hindu, OBC or Dalit communities at the national level.
Meanwhile, Bittu has recently indicated a greater interest in focusing on Punjab politics. During recent interactions with the media, he expressed his willingness to work actively in the state and contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, further adding to speculation about his future role within the party.
No official announcement regarding a Cabinet reshuffle has been made so far.
