Rakesh Mohan Chaturvedi, ET Bureau Jun 4, 2014, 04.43AM IST

(A leader fromMahamay)

NEW DELHI: With the death of rural development minister Gopinath Munde, PM Narendra Modi will have to look for a replacement for the senior Maharashtra leader from the Other Backward Classes besides naming a defence minister when he expands his cabinet in the third week of June.

"With Munde's untimely death, Modi will also have to find a rural development minister," a BJP leader said, adding that the two cabinet berths would have to go to senior leaders as both are key ministries.

Although Arun Jaitley has been entrusted with the defence ministry, along with the ministries of finance and corporate Affairs, the leader has indicated that this is a temporary arrangement and another leader is likely to get the job.

The expansion of the council of ministers and the process of choosing a new party president to succeed Rajnath Singh are likely to take place simultaneously around June 18-20, BJP leaders familiar with the matter said. Modi and his close associates want the Parliament session beginning on Thursday to end tentatively on June 12 before taking up the two issues, they said.

A leader from Maharashtra may be given Cabinet rank after the demise of Munde in order to keep the caste and regional balance intact in the council of ministers, a BJP leader said.

However, the leader added that the next rural development mini s t e r may not be f rom Maharashtra, where assemble polls are due later this year.

"Those whose names are doing the rounds for induction into the cabinet include SS Ahluwalia and Rajiv Pratap Rudy. The names of CP Thakur and Murli Manohar Joshi are also doing the rounds but they are above 75 years and may be ruled out," a party leader said.

While finalising the list of union ministers, Modi had made it clear that those MPs who are sons and daughters of BJP leaders as well as those who have crossed 75 years of age would not be considered.

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Expansion of cabinet in 3rd week; SS Ahluwalia, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, CP Thakur & MM Joshi in the fray

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is the first member of President Barack Obamas cabinetto resign amid scandal and without a permanent replacement at hand.

Another high-profile cabinet change came after the heat of scandal died down Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stayed on board throughout the HealthCare.Gov debacle only to leave months later after the Obamacare enrollment period ended.

Mr. Obama on Friday named Mr. Shinsekis deputy, Sloan Gibson, as acting secretary but didnt say whether he will be nominated as a permanent replacement, which would require Senate confirmation.

Were going to need a new VA secretary, Mr. Obama said Friday.

Heres a look at possible people who could be named to succeed Mr. Shinseki:

Sloan GibsonMr. Gibson, who was confirmed by the Senate in February as Mr. Shinsekis top deputy. A West Point graduate, Mr. Gibson has ahistory of working with veterans groups he was the CEO of the USO prior to joining the VA.

Army Chief of StaffRay OdiernoMr. Odierno led American efforts in Iraq and returned to Washington in 2011. Mr. Odierno hasnt held a civilian post.

Retired Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli Mr. Chiarelli served as the Armys vice chief of staff from 2008 to 2012. He is currently the CEO of One Mind for Research, an organization that works on helping veterans recover from brain injuries.

Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D., Ill.) A longtime ally of Mr. Obama, Ms. Duckworth was an assistant VA secretary from 2009 until she resigned to run for Congress in 2012. Ms. Duckworth, who lost her legs in the Iraq war, is one of five Democrats named last week to the House select committee investigating the Benghazi attacks. She called for Mr. Shinseki to resign on Friday.

Former Sen. Jim Webb (D., Va.) The one-term senator has been in the news recently for floating the idea that hell run for the president in 2016. More likely, but still a long shot, is his joining Mr. Obamas administration. Mr. Webb got an endorsement for the post this week from the News Leader in Staunton, Va.

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5 Possible Picks for Permanent VA Chief

How to replace the cabinet
SE-120 Cabinet Replacement.

By: Lee James

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How to replace the cabinet - Video

New Delhi: Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Venkaiah Naidu and Shiv Senas Anant Geete are likely to be included in a compact cabinet headed by Narendra Modi who has decided on a radical restructuring of the government with one cabinet minister heading a cluster of departments in complementary sectors.

A day ahead of his being sworn in as Indias 15th Prime Minister, it was stated on behalf of Modi that one cabinet minister would head a cluster of ministries working in complementary sectors so as to ensure convergence in the activities of various ministries.

Top layers of the government would eventually be downsized and there would be expansion at the grass root level, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister-designates secretariat from Gujarat Bhawan where he has been ensconced for the last four days holding consultations on his government formation. In forming his cabinet, Modi has adopted the principle of minimum government and maximum governance and also rationalisation with a commitment to bring a change in the work culture and style of governnance, it said.

The statement came at the end of another day of guessing game about the names of ministers to figure in the Modi cabinet that will be sworn in at 6 pm tomorrow. Till late Sunday night, even Rashtrapati Bhavan had received no list of ministers from the Prime Minister-designate. The final list is now expected to be sent on Monday morning.

However, indications were that Jaitley would get Finance, Rajnath will be in charge of Home and Gadkari one of the infrastructure ministries. Geete would also have a Cabinet portfolio. Other names making the rounds for the cabinet include Sushma Swaraj, Ananth Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Uma Bharti, Harsh Vardhan and Piyush Goel. Sources said that the number of ministers would be between 30 and 35 which would be much smaller than usual.

However, an expansion of the ministry may take place later. There was no clarity on the role of Advani with some reports suggesting that he may not be made lok Sabha Speaker which he is said to favour but he may continue as NDA chairman. In that case, Sumitra Mahajan, a senior BJP Parliamentarian and former minister, may become the Speaker. Deputy Speaker in the outgoing Lok Sabha, Karia Mundas name is also being speculated for this post. NDA ally TDP has recommended the name of party MP Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who won from Vizianagaram Lok Sabha constituency, to be inducted into the Union Cabinet.

Sources said Shiromani Akali Dal, an old ally of BJP, may find a place in the Union Cabinet and the SAD leadership is learnt to have suggested the names of Harsimrat Badal and Naresh Gujral. Once party president Rajnath Singh joins the Cabinet, his replacement would be worked out along with restructuring of the party and the name of J P Nadda is learnt to have been cleared by the party leadership and RSS to replace Rajnath.

The statement on behalf of Modi said he is aware of the high expectations of the people. For whole of four days, he was busy with the formation of the ministry and discussing various alternatives to effective governance, convergence and coordination between various ministries, it said. Modi is eventually aiming at smart governance where the top layers of Government will be downsized and there would be expansionat the grass root level, the statement said.

Earlier, there was political instability and multi-party governments and the ministry formation was almost done in a bifurcated manner, it said. The Prime Minister-designate, it said, tried in a rational manner to club like-minded departments in the ministry formation in such a way to convert entity of assembled ministry to organic entity.

The statement went on to add that integrated and inter-connected nature of governance is being focussed in this new dent. In the ministry formation, the process of development will be more inclusive than it has been, it said. At the outset, the statement said Modi has made a dent in formation of ministries. It is a good beginning in transforming entity of assembled ministries to organic ministries. It will bring more coordination between different departments and will be more effective and bring a spee in process, it said. (PTI)

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Jaitley, Rajnath, Gadkari likely in Narendra Modis Cabinet

Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Venkaiah Naidu and Shiv Sena's Anant Geete are likely to be included in a compact cabinet headed by Narendra Modi who has decided on a radical restructuring of the government with one cabinet minister heading a cluster of departments in complementary sectors.

A day ahead of his being sworn in as India's 14th Prime Minister, it was stated on behalf of Modi that one cabinet minister would head a cluster of ministries working in complementary sectors so as to ensure convergence in the activities of various ministries.

Top layers of the government would eventually be downsized and there would be expansion at the grass root level, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister-designate's secretariat from Gujarat Bhawan where he has been ensconced for the last four days holding consultations on his government formation.

In forming his cabinet, Modi has adopted the principle of "minimum government and maximum governance" and also "rationalisation with a commitment to bring a change in the work culture and style of governnance," it said.

The statement came at the end of another day of guessing game about the names of ministers to figure in the Modi cabinet that will be sworn in at 6 pm tomorrow.

Till late tonight, even Rashtrapati Bhavan had received no list of ministers from the Prime Minister-designate. The final list is now expected to be sent tomorrow morning.

However, indications were that Jaitley would get Finance, Rajnath will be in charge of Home and Gadkari one of the infrastructure ministries.

Geete would also have a Cabinet portfolio.

Other names making the rounds for the cabinet include Sushma Swaraj, Ananth Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Uma Bharti, Harsh Vardhan and Piyush Goel.

Sources said that the number of ministers would be between 30 and 35 which would be much smaller than usual. However, an expansion of the ministry may take place later.

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Jaitley, Rajnath, Gadkari Likely in Modi Cabinet

Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Venkaiah Naidu and Shiv Sena's Anant Geete are likely to be included in a compact Cabinet headed by Narendra Modi, who has decided on a radical restructuring of the government with one Cabinet minister heading a cluster of departments in complementary sectors.

A day ahead of Modi being sworn in as India's 15th prime minister, it was stated on his behalf that one Cabinet minister would head a cluster of ministries working in complementary sectors so as to ensure convergence in the activities of various ministries. Top layers of the government would eventually be downsized and there would be expansion at the grassroots level, according to a statement issued by the prime minister-designate's secretariat from Gujarat Bhawan, where Modi has been ensconced for the last four days holding consultations on his government formation.

In forming his Cabinet, Modi has adopted the principle of "minimum government and maximum governance" and also "rationalisation with a commitment to bring a change in the work culture and style of governnance," it said. The statement came at the end of another day of guessing game about the names of ministers to figure in the Modi Cabinet that will be sworn in at 6 pm on Monday. Till late tonight, even Rashtrapati Bhavan had not received any list of ministers from the prime minister-designate. The final list is now expected to be sent Monday morning.

However, indications were that Jaitley would get finance, Rajnath will be in charge of home and Gadkari one of the infrastructure ministries. Geete would also have a Cabinet portfolio.

Other names making the rounds for the cabinet include Sushma Swaraj, Ananth Kumar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Uma Bharti, Harsh Vardhan and Piyush Goel.

Sources said that the number of ministers would be between 30 and 35 which would be much smaller than usual. However, an expansion of the ministry may take place later. There was no clarity on the role of L K Advani with some reports suggesting that he may not be made Lok Sabha Speaker, which he is said to favour, but he may continue as NDA chairman. In that case, Sumitra Mahajan, a senior BJP Parliamentarian and former minister, may become the Speaker. Deputy Speaker in the outgoing Lok Sabha Karia Munda's name is also being speculated for this post.

NDA ally TDP has recommended the name of party MP Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who won from Vizianagaram Lok Sabha constituency, to be inducted into the Union Cabinet.

Sources said Shiromani Akali Dal, an old ally of BJP, may find a place in the Union Cabinet and the SAD leadership is learnt to have suggested the names of Harsimrat Badal and Naresh Gujral. Once party president Rajnath Singh joins the Cabinet, his replacement would be worked out along with restructuring of the party and the name of J P Nadda is learnt to have been cleared by the party leadership and RSS to replace Rajnath.

The statement on behalf of Modi said he is aware of the "high expectations" of the people. For whole of four days, he was busy with the formation of the ministry and discussing various alternatives to effective governance, convergence and coordination between various ministries, it said.

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Jaitley, Rajnath, Gadkari likely in Modi's compact Cabinet

NEW DELHI: A small and compact cabinet under Narendra Modi appeared to be taking final shape Sunday, with BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, and Sushma Swaraj likely to get the top posts, according to party sources.

The cabinet is expected to be compact, said party sources. Restructuring is expected in the government and some ministries are likely to be merged.

BJP president Rajnath Singh appears set to be the next home minister, but internal security may be taken away from the home ministry and kept with the prime minister's office.

Talks are on over Rajnath Singh's replacement in the party, with general secretary and former Himachal Pradesh minister JP Nadda among the contenders for the post.

While Arun Jaitley is likely to get finance ministry, Sushma Swaraj may get external affairs or defence ministry.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Najma Heptulla, Sumitra Mahajan and Ananth Kumar are also likely to find place in the cabinet, as are representatives from allies Shiv Sena, and Telugu Desam Party, whose chief N Chandrababu Naidu also met Modi Sunday.

However, coming out of the meeting, Naidu said that a ministerial post is not important.

"I did not ask for any representation," he said.

"We are an ally of the NDA, power is not important, national development is important. Both in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana there are problems. Under his (Modi's) leadership, we want a solution to these problems," Naidu said.

However, TDP sources in Hyderabad said Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju is likely to be the lone face from the TDP to be inducted into the union cabinet Monday.

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Small, compact Narendra Modi cabinet shaping up

The federal Cabinet is divided over how much power and amount of resources the new national security agency, the Australian Border Force (ABF), should have.

The ABC has learnt there is a push from some senior ministers to have biosecurity operations rolled into the ABF, but others in Cabinet are fighting to keep it separate.

The new national security agency will combine the frontline operations of Customs, Border Protection and Immigration personnel.

It is designed to be a permanent replacement for Operation Sovereign Borders, which has been crucial to the Federal Government delivering on its promise to stop asylum seeker boats from reaching Australia.

The ABC understands several senior Cabinet ministers want the Australian Border Force to include biosecurity operations, which are currently under the control of the Department of Agriculture.

They believe the move would streamline operations and save money, by having Customs and biosecurity officials, who often work side by side, in the same agency.

But National Farmers' Federation (NFF) CEO Matt Linnegar said it was "a dumb idea".

"Whoever thought of it should take the piece of paper, screw it up and throw it in the bin," he said.

He said such a move could weaken Australia's quarantine operations and put Australia's agricultural sector at risk.

"Our clean, green image, our reputation for producing quality food and fibre around the world absolutely relies on our biosecurity status.

Originally posted here:
Federal Cabinet divided over how much power and resources Australian Border Force should have

A small and compact cabinet under Narendra Modi appeared to be taking final shape Sunday, with BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, and Sushma Swaraj likely to get the top posts, according to party sources.

The cabinet is expected to be compact, said party sources. Restructuring is expected in the government and some ministries are likely to be merged.

BJP president Rajnath Singh appears set to be the next home minister, but internal security may be taken away from the home ministry and kept with the prime minister's office.

Talks are on over Rajnath Singh's replacement in the party, with general secretary and former Himachal Pradesh minister J.P. Nadda among the contenders for the post.

While Arun Jaitley is likely to get finance ministry, Sushma Swaraj may get external affairs or defence ministry.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Najma Heptulla, Sumitra Mahajan and Ananth Kumar are also likely to find place in the cabinet, as are representatives from allies Shiv Sena, and Telugu Desam Party, whose chief N. Chandrababu Naidu also met Modi Sunday.

However, coming out of the meeting, Naidu said that a ministerial post is not important.

"I did not ask for any representation," he said.

"We are an ally of the NDA, power is not important, national development is important. Both in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana there are problems. Under his (Modi's) leadership, we want a solution to these problems," Naidu told TV news channel CNN IBN.

However, TDP sources in Hyderabad said Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju is likely to be the lone face from the TDP to be inducted into the union cabinet Monday.

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Rajnath Singh appears set to be the next home minister

BANGKOK Thailand's coup leaders will detain former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Cabinet members and anti-government protest leaders for up to a week to give them "time to think," a military spokesman said Saturday.

The move appears aimed at preventing any political leaders from contacting supporters to rally them against the military, which seized power Thursday after months of sometimes violent street protests and deadlock between the elected government and protesters supported by Thailand's elite establishment.

Yingluck and dozens of other political figures have been held in a secret location and without outside contact since they turned themselves in for a meeting with the military council in charge of the country.

Deputy army spokesman Col. Weerachon Sukondhapatipak said that all the political leaders were being well-treated and that the aim of the military was to achieve a political compromise.

"This is in a bid for everybody who is involved in the conflict to calm down and have time to think," Weerachon said. "We don't intend to limit their freedom but it is to relieve the pressure."

The military said it acted to prevent more turmoil with the coup, which came after two days of peace talks in which neither political faction would agree to step aside in their demands.

The anti-government protesters have blocked streets in Bangkok for months demanding that the government step down over allegations of corruption and ties to Yingluck's brother, exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was himself deposed in a 2006 military coup.

Parties affiliated with Yingluck and her brother Thaksin Shinawatra have won every election since 2001 in Thailand.

It was unclear Saturday exactly how many political leaders were being detained by the army.

Among the officials who showed up at an army compound in Bangkok on Friday were Yingluck, who was removed from office by a court earlier this month on nepotism charges, and her temporary replacement, Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, according to Yingluck's aide Wim Rungwattanachinda.

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Thai army to hold ex-PM, Cabinet, protest leaders for up to week to give them time 'to think'