Modi cabinet reshuffle: RSS wants Devendra Fadnavis in Delhi even if Rajnath Singh, Gadkari have to sit out?

The Modi cabinet reshuffle is seen by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as an opportunity to reclaim some ground, as the Jantar Mantar student protests have taken the shine off the shield wielded by the Modi-Shah camp. As per a Marathi news report,  the Sangh intends to make a move, as the BJP leadership looks shaky and vulnerable in a long time.

The reports of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis joining the Modi cabinet are part of these developments, as the Nagpur-born leader is the Sangh's best bet to represent its interests in Delhi. According to reports, the Chief Minister harbours Delhi dreams and may say yes if allowed to shift base.

It was Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut who made claims about Fadnavis being elevated to the Union Cabinet when the reshuffle happens. Along with Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis will also get a place in the Modi cabinet, it was claimed by multiple reports. Raut's claims are not fully baseless, as the power struggle between the RSS and BJP is real.

“Raut is linking an old story about Devendra Fadnavis becoming Deputy Prime Minister to this development. The BJP government ignored the protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that the students’ demands were legitimate and that attention should be paid to them. The RSS expressed disagreement with the Central Government's position. The cordial relationship between the RSS and the BJP no longer exists,” noted journalist Vijay Chormare was quoted as saying by TV9 Marathi.

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Chormare reportedly said that senior leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Jual Oram, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and fellow Maharashtrian Nitin Gadkari, were among those asked to step down from their respective responsibilities. According to the report, all of them have refused.

"...Four ministers — senior ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram — have been asked to resign. But they have refused to do so. This is confirmed news from circles in Delhi,” TV9 Marathi quoted senior journalist Vijay Chormare as saying.

“Modi and Shah have been weakened somewhat by the Jantar Mantar protest. At such a time, the RSS is trying to assert its influence. There is nothing wrong with that. At present, the most important political asset for the RSS is Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He is from Nagpur. He has good relations with everyone in RSS circles. He has proved his capabilities as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Sanjay Raut operates within Delhi’s political circles. He has access to inside information,” Chormare reportedly added.

It was earlier reported that Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri could be a casualty of the reshuffle. His stint in the Upper House will come to an end in late November, and the BJP remains undecided on whether to grant him another term or not.

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However, it remains to be seen whether influential senior leaders like Gadkari and Rajnath Singh will be axed or handed different responsibilities as part of the reshuffle.