New Delhi/ Bhopal June 26, 2026

Political speculation over an imminent reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers intensified on Friday, with senior BJP and NDA leaders indicating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could undertake a major reorganisation of his government as early as Sunday or Monday. While there has been no official confirmation, party and government sources said consultations have gathered pace and the final contours of the exercise are expected to be decided over the weekend.

According to political sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, fuelling speculation that preparations are underway for a possible swearing-in ceremony. However, neither the Prime Minister's Office nor Rashtrapati Bhavan has made any announcement.

If the reshuffle goes ahead, it is expected to be the most significant ministerial exercise since the formation of the Modi 3.0 government. Sources said the BJP leadership has been reviewing governance, ministerial performance, regional representation and the NDA's changing political arithmetic, while also keeping an eye on Assembly elections due in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab.

Among the names figuring prominently in political discussions is former Reserve Bank of India Governor and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shaktikanta Das. Sources said he is being considered for a Cabinet-rank berth, a move that would bring one of the government's most experienced administrators into the political executive.

Several senior ministers are also part of the speculation. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is learnt to be under consideration for a change of portfolio, with the Education Ministry emerging as one of the options being discussed. Political sources have also linked the names of Dharmendra Pradhan, Hardeep Singh Puri and Manohar Lal Khattar with possible changes, though there is no official word on any of these proposals.

Beyond governance, the reshuffle is expected to reflect the BJP's political priorities. Alliance management is likely to be a key factor, with sources suggesting that the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena could secure greater representation after expanding the NDA's strength in Parliament. Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde is among the leaders being tipped for a Cabinet berth, while organisational and ministerial responsibilities within the alliance may also be recast.

The BJP is also believed to be looking at strengthening its political messaging in election-bound states. In Uttar Pradesh, Meerut MP Arun Govil is among the names under discussion, while former Union minister Anurag Thakur is widely expected to return to the Cabinet if the reshuffle materialises. From Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho MP and former BJP state president Vishnu Dutt Sharma is also being mentioned as a strong contender. Bihar MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal is another name doing the rounds, even as JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar is understood to remain an influential voice in the NDA's consultations.

Punjab, where the BJP is attempting to expand its footprint, is also expected to figure in the exercise. Political sources said discussions are underway on enhancing the state's representation in the Union government, with names such as Tarun Chugh, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Raghav Chadha and Ashok Kumar Mittal featuring in different political conversations. However, no consensus or official decision has emerged.

Sources also indicated that a number of Ministers of State could be dropped or reassigned as part of the exercise. Among those whose names have surfaced in speculation is Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, although party leaders insist that the final decisions will rest solely with the Prime Minister.

Political observers believe the reshuffle, if carried out, will seek to strike a balance between administrative efficiency, electoral preparedness and coalition management. Even so, senior BJP leaders have maintained complete silence on the exercise, and the final composition of the Council of Ministers will be known only after an official announcement. Until then, the names and portfolios doing the rounds remain part of political speculation rather than confirmed appointments.