India’s Modi expands cabinet to speed up economic reforms
Newcomer Parrikar likely to be named defence minister to take the pressure off Arun Jaitley, who will focus on the crucial finance portfolio
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has beefed up his government, appointing 21 new ministers in a bid to speed up promised economic reforms after storming to power five months ago.
Four new lawmakers were sworn into the 27-strong cabinet during a ceremony at the presidential palace yesterday, while the number of junior ministers in the right-wing government jumped to 39.
"This expansion was on the cards from some time. It has emerged as a good blend of youth and experience," Aman Sinha, a spokesman for the ruling party, said. "Regional representation has been kept in mind."
Newcomer Manohar Parrikar, a suave regional leader of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was tipped to become the new defence minister when all the portfolios are formally announced, as early as today.
Like Modi, Parrikar has a strong background in the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh organisation, accused by critics of sometimes fomenting religious conflict in India, which has a large Muslim minority.
Parrikar's likely appointment would ease the burden on Arun Jaitley, who has been juggling both the key defence and finance ministries while battling ill health.