New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government and the BJP is putting on hold major decisions, the cabinet re-shuffling being one of them, until the re-election of Amit Shah as the BJP President, say reports.
There are elections in five states this year and the PM Modi wants to improve its delivery on the governance front. It is looking to revamp its cabinet apart keeping apart home, finance, defence and foreign ministry.
Ministers under-performing will be axed or moved to other ministry while well performing ministers may get additional charge of related ministries.
The report citing sources says that PM Modi could reduce the number of ministers from Bihar after the party's humiliating defeat.
The decisions will be taken only after Amit Shah is re-elected. "Election is through consensus. The way he has performed, everyone wants him to become president again," said party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya.
Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah is all set to get another term as party president as a number of big decisions in the government and the party appears to be awaiting his re-election - among them the expected cabinet reshuffle.
The party has already taken a decision and with no challenger in sight Mr Shah's return is expected to be consensual.The current term of Mr Shah who had taken over in July 2014 ends in the third week of January.
The schedule for the president's election is expected to be announced by January 15.
The Electoral College which comprises of 36 state units (including union territories) is being readied. The BJP constitution mandates at least half the number for electing the president. The party has already declared state presidents of 14 districts and after the selection of four more state party chiefs it can go ahead with the president's election.
BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said, "Election is through consensus. The way he has performed, everyone wants him to become president again. BJP has become world's largest party under his leadership."
The BJP will call a meeting of its national council after Mr Shah's re-election to officially ratify his selection as party chief after which he can pick his team of office bearers including vice presidents, general secretaries and secretaries.
While the buzz is that ahead of the budget and the parliament session the PM may retain the top four ministers in his cabinet, some leaders may have to make way for newcomers.
"There is a list of ministers about whom there is a feedback that they have not performed or have not been able to deliver political responsibilities. That's why some ministers may be axed while some may see portfolios altered," said a senior party leader.
There are reports that some performing ministers may get charge of related ministries bringing back partially the super ministry concept to improve coordination and delivery.
"More than 30 ministers campaigned in Bihar, 12 of them were camping there. The cabinet rejig may reflect accoubtability fixing for Bihar loss too and the state's representation in the council reduced," said another leader.
However, there is no clarity on whether the PM may shift those who have brought embarrassment for the government with their controversial remarks.
With this PM Modi and Mr Shah seem to be moving towards creating the team that may well lead the party in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Mr Shah who has led the BJP to victory in four states and drubbing in two is already under pressure to deliver in the forthcoming polls in five states, including West Bengal and Assam where the BJP doesn't figure among the top two parties.
In Punjab the party partners with Akali Dal government as the junior partner. The Akali Dal is already facing huge anti-incumbency while the Congress is upbeat with captain Amrinder Singh at the helm and the AAP is said to be deep inroads.
Then 2017 will start with the critical test in Uttar Pradesh where the BJP won 73 Lok Sabha seats in 2014, but since then has lost ground in almost every poll starting from local bodies to by-polls.
Since the odds are tacked against the BJP, top duo the RSS, BJPs ideological mentor and its affiliates seem all set to roll out a political strategy.
From April 15 the Vishwa Hindu Parishad is starting a Ram Mahotsav in which VHP and sangh activists are expected to visit 1.25 lakh villages with statues of Lord Ram.
"VHP will use the mahotsav to spread awareness about temple. Statues will be installed in 1.25 lakh villages." said VHP's Sharad Sharma.
Uttar Pradesh is critical for the BJP and the party seems to be returning to the Ram temple issue eyeing the 2017 state assembly poll.
Party leader Subramanian Swamy had written a letter to the PM to petition the Supreme Court for a speedy day-to-day hearing in the Babri land title case.
The party also seems to be focusing on Bihar after it failed to make inroads into the crucial backward and dalit vote in the state in the assembly elections held last year.
In Uttar Pradesh the BJP is focusing beyond its traditional hunting ground- the upper castes.
Sources say the BJPs next stage unit president could be an OBC or dalit. It also chose 25 OBC and dalit leaders to head its district units in the state.
In another indication that the party is eyeing the socially marginalised sections, PM will be in Lucknow on January 22 where he will attend the Ambedkar Mahasabha.
