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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

Dharmendra Pradhan, Yadav likely to be sacked

Raghav Chadha, Tejaswi Surya, Nishikant Dubey, Praful Patel CAN be included New Delhi: A significant reshuffle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Council of Ministers is widely expected after June 16. Several prominent and senior faces could make way for a younger, more energetic, and politically active generation of leaders. There is considerable speculation in political circles that influential ministers such as Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhupender Yadav may no longer remain part of the Union...

Dharmendra Pradhan, Yadav likely to be sacked

Raghav Chadha, Tejaswi Surya, Nishikant Dubey, Praful Patel CAN be included New Delhi: A significant reshuffle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Council of Ministers is widely expected after June 16. Several prominent and senior faces could make way for a younger, more energetic, and politically active generation of leaders. There is considerable speculation in political circles that influential ministers such as Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhupender Yadav may no longer remain part of the Union Cabinet after June. At the same time, the possible induction of Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who recently parted ways with the Aam Aadmi Party, as well as certain Members of Parliament who may distance themselves from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). If these developments materialize, the exercise would represent far more than a routine cabinet expansion or reshuffle. It would be viewed as a strategic political move aimed at preparing for upcoming electoral battles while accommodating emerging political alignments. According to sources, a recent Cabinet meeting included a detailed evaluation of the performance of various ministries. Ministries were reportedly assessed on parameters such as the resolution of public grievances, administrative efficiency, disposal of pending cases, and the government's public image. It is believed that changes in ministerial responsibilities could be based on these assessments. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has recently taken steps to promote younger leadership within its organizational structure. Under the leadership of its new national president, Nitin Naveen, the party is reportedly working toward making the organization more aggressive, ideologically assertive, and electorally effective. Pradhan’s Future The responsibilities of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav could undergo changes. In Pradhan's case, controversies surrounding various examinations, questions raised about the education sector, and issues involving the University Grants Commission and higher educational institutions are being cited as possible reasons. In Yadav's case, certain environmental matters and legal disputes connected to his ministry have also attracted attention. However, given their strong organizational credentials, many believe both leaders could be entrusted with significant responsibilities within the BJP organization. Upcoming Elections Over the next eighteen months, electoral activity is expected to intensify in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh. Among these states, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab occupy a particularly important place in the BJP's strategic calculations. Consequently, special attention is likely to be paid to achieving a balance of regional and social representation in any cabinet reorganization. In Punjab, the BJP has already signaled its intent to expand its social outreach by appointing Jat Sikh leader Keval Singh Dhillon as the state president. The possible inclusion of BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh in the Union Cabinet following his entry into the Rajya Sabha. On the other hand, there is speculation that Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian, whose Rajya Sabha tenures have ended and who have not been renominated, could be dropped from the Cabinet. Bittu is being prepared as a prominent BJP fire brand leader in Punjab. The possible return of Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Kerala and Anurag Thakur from Himachal Pradesh to the Union Cabinet. In Uttar Pradesh, elections for eleven Rajya Sabha seats are in November this year, followed by the Assembly elections next year. Against this backdrop, new faces from the state may be given opportunities in the Cabinet. The Rajya Sabha memberships of Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and BL Verma are also set to expire in November 2026. Under the BJP's "One Person, One Post" principle, there is speculation that Pankaj Chaudhary, now serving as BJP's Uttar Pradesh president, and Harsh Malhotra, who has assumed leadership of the Delhi BJP, may relinquish their ministerial positions. Fresh Faces Former Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy from Bihar is also being mentioned as a possible contender. The organization of the 'Rana Sanga Yatra' and an air show by them prior to the Bihar Assembly elections is being viewed in the context of the BJP's electoral strategy. Similarly, fire brand leader like Jharkhand's Nishikant Dubey and relatively young leader like Karnataka's Tejasvi Surya could be inducted into the Cabinet. There are also indications that the BJP may seek to strengthen its representation from West Bengal. Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya and young leader Sayantan Basu are among the names being discussed. However, claims regarding a possible split within the Trinamool Congress and the political developments associated with it remain speculative and have not been independently verified. If a section of TMC MPs were to break away and align with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), one of them could potentially find a place in the Union Cabinet. There is a possibility that Praful Patel from NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) may become a minister. Former Union Minister Praful Patel from NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) is also being mentioned as a possible contender. At present, the Union Council of Ministers consists of 72 members, while the Constitution permits a strength of up to 81. This leaves sufficient room for the induction of new faces. Experience from the past decade suggests that Prime Minister Modi has consistently surprised political observers when it comes to cabinet expansions and reshuffles. The changes undertaken in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2023 demonstrated that final decisions often differ significantly from prevailing political expectations.

India working on logistics of Tahawwur Rana's extradition

  • PTI
  • Feb 14, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 18, 2025

Tahawwur Rana

Washington: India is working on the logistics of Tahawwur Rana's surrender and extradition from the US, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said, as President Donald Trump announced that his administration has given the go-ahead to extradite the 26/11 terror attack accused “to face justice".

“This is an issue on which the US authorities have taken very clear decisions. I think you've seen the President announce it himself from the White House podium" the decision of the US to extradite Rana, Misri said at a press conference here on Thursday.


During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has approved the extradition of "very evil" Tahawwur Rana, wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, "to face justice in India”.


In response to a question by PTI on the timeframe by when Rana will be extradited to India, Misri said: "We are working on the logistics of his surrender and extradition to India. There are a few final steps to be completed. The two sides are in touch on this particular issue.”


The India-US joint statement issued during the Prime Minister's visit to the US notes that Modi and Trump reaffirmed that the global scourge of terrorism must be fought and terrorist safe havens eliminated from every corner of the world.

“They committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Jaish-e Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba in order to prevent heinous acts like the attacks in Mumbai on 26/11 and the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021," the joint statement said.


“Recognising a shared desire to bring to justice those who would harm our citizens, the US announced that the extradition to India of Tahawwur Rana has been approved," it said.


The leaders further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, and Pathankot attacks and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks.

"The leaders also pledged to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors,” the joint statement added.

Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently lodged at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles. He is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks.

Speaking at the joint press meet, Trump said "Today I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and very evil people of the world, and having to do with the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack, to face justice in India. So, he is going back to India to face justice."


The extradition of Rana was cleared by the US Supreme Court in January as it rejected his review petition in the case.


India last month said it was working with American authorities for the early extradition of Rana.


"The US Supreme Court on January 21 declined to hear a petition from the accused. We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.


In November 2012, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman among the Pakistani group, was hanged to death in Yerawada Jail in Pune.

-PTI

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