Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, announced his new cabinet, marking the onset of his third term. The newly formed Modi 3.0 cabinet highlights a significant inclusion of ministerial berths for key allies of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, ensuring a balanced representation across the coalition.
Key appointments in the Modi 3.0 cabinet include notable figures from the Janata Dal (Secular), Janata Dal (United), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and other allied parties:
- HD Kumaraswamy from the Janata Dal (Secular) takes on the role of Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel.
- Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh from the Janata Dal (United) is appointed as Minister of Panchayati Raj and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. Ram Nath Thakur from the same party is named Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Jitan Ram Manjhi from Hindustani Awam Morcha becomes the new Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
- Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) takes over as the Minister of Civil Aviation, and Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani from the TDP becomes Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Communications.
- Chirag Paswan from the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) is appointed Minister of Food Processing Industries, a portfolio once held by his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan.
- Jayant Chaudhary from the Rashtriya Lok Dal assumes the role of Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.
- Anupriya Patel from Apna Dal (S) is named as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
- Ramdas Athawale from the Republican Party of India (RPI) continues as Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav from Shiv Sena is appointed Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of AYUSH and Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Both TDP and JD(U) are crucial allies of the BJP in the NDA government, with the TDP holding 16 MPs and the JD(U) holding 12 MPs in the Lok Sabha. The cabinet appointments reflect the strategic importance of these alliances, ensuring broad representation and inclusivity in the government.
The new cabinet includes a total of 11 ministers from BJP’s allies, distributed as follows: two from the Telugu Desam Party, two from the Janata Dal (United), one from the Lok Janshakti Party, one from the Janata Dal (Secular), one from Shiv Sena, one from the Republican Party of India (Athawale), one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal, one from Apna Dal, and one from Hindustani Awam Morcha.
The inclusion of leaders from diverse parties underscores the Modi 3.0 cabinet’s emphasis on coalition politics and representation of various regional interests, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a broad-based and inclusive governance model.
