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New Delhi: With the Prime Minister Narendra Modi back in New Delhi tomorrow, murmurs of a possible cabinet reshuffle were intensified among the political circles of ruling NDA.

There are speculations, about a dozen ministers, who are above 70 years, expected to be dropped and in their place young faces could be brought into the cabinet. The present strength of the council of ministers is 69, while the Constitutional ceiling is 81.

The cabinet reshuffle buzz has gained momentum particularly after BJP President Nitin Nabin announced a 65 member national team, earlier this month, featuring 51 new faces.

Young Faces May Get More Representation

Top party sources said that last week, the Prime Minister at the cabinet meeting, hinted at a possible reshuffle and invited more than 20 ministers for high tea next day. What transpired at the high tea with PM was a subject of speculation. Talk in the political circles is that in view of Gen-Z factor on the current political scene, the government may prefer new and young blood, into the cabinet.

Three ministers have already resigned, including Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while more than 10 senior ministers are holding additional charges at present , including Amit Shah, JP Nadda,Manoharlal Khattar, Jyotiraditya Sciendia, Ashwini Vaishnav, Prahallad Joshi, HD Kumarasway, Mansukh Mandaviya, Kiran Rijuju, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and others.

The government could also use the reshuffle exercise to redistribute portfolios and ease the burden on ministers handling multiple ministries.

In coalition governments, cabinet reshuffle always hinges on a specific formula, influenced by several factors. It includes, regional balance, weight of the coalition partners, performance, Youth and Women and Elections. With Assembly elections in UP, Punjab and UK, are fast approaching, Modi government may give weightage to election going states in the reshuffle.