Jammu:The ruling BhartiyaJanta Party (BJP) is undecided about the date of effecting a reshuffle in its quota of ministers.
However, sources said the reshuffle would surely take place before April 27, the last day for the government offices in Jammu.
The reshuffle was necessitated after two BJP ministers --- Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh --- were forced to resign from the council of ministers following outrage over their presence in “pro-rapists” rally in Kathua district on March 1.
The rally was organized by Hindu EktaManch, a newly formed front to support the accused in rape and murder of 8-year-old nomad girl in Rasana village of Kathua in January this year.
The portfolios of Ganga and Singh are temporarily being held by Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh.
Two days after the Ganga and Singh resigned, another drama unfolded with all other BJP ministers tendering their resignations.
Soon after a core group meeting chaired by BJP vice president AvinashRaiKhanna ended in Jammu on April 17, news circulated that all ministers were asked to resign to pave way for a reshuffle.
It was individually confirmed by ministers. However, late evening a BJP office bearer denied it.
Sources said that the party faced a backlash as this was seen as politicizing the issue of rape and murder and pressure building tactics on Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who had taken a firm stand on the issue.
They confirmed that the BJP ministers were asked to resign as the party had been weighing the option of purging its team amid serious charges of corruption and some of them being ineffective.
The development was used to ensure that all ministers resign so that new faces are inducted.
However, reshuffle has not been put off as BJP cannot afford to keep two cabinet berths vacant.
Insiders in BJP said the party is yet to decide about the date of oath ceremony to new faces.
The probable date is April 24 as Mehbooba has convened a meeting of the cabinet on the day at 4 pm, sources said.
The cabinet meeting was postponed twice due to developments over rape and murder of minor girl and the spurt in violence in Kashmir.
Sources said Governor N NVohra, who is out of the state, is scheduled to return on April 23 evening.
Besides, BJP high command has called some its senior leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh to Delhi for consultation. They will also return to winter capital on April 23.
Sources in Raj Bhavan said that no date has been fixed yet for cabinet reshuffle.
However, they said the cabinet meeting stands as on April 24.
An official said that the oath-taking ceremony could take place on April 24 morning so that the cabinet meeting takes place as per schedule at 4 pm.
“It is a very fluid situation and only Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister’s office know about it,” he said.
On the other hand BJP is wrestling pressure within as many aspirants are keen to find a place in the council of ministers.
While two new faces are certain in place of Ganga and Singh, some more could be inducted as axe is likely to fall on one or two incumbent ministers.
Speaker Kavinder Gupta is also in race to become a cabinet minister and Minister of State Sunil Sharma may be elevated as cabinet minister.
BJP general secretary (Org) Ashok Koul said that no date has been fixed for cabinet reshuffle yet but it would take place before April 27.
BJP National Vice President and Incharge J&K affairs AvinashRaiKhannasaid a high level meeting of the party would be held after April 25 to decide the reshuffle in the State.
He said the faces to be inducted in the cabinet would be decided in the meeting only.
On anti-party activities by two sacked ministers ChowdharyLal Singh and ChanderPrakash Ganga, Khanna said, “Ganga has not taken out any rally. As far as the activities of Lal Singh are concerned, the issue will be discussed in the meeting and action, if needed, will be initiated.”
He said coalition is working well and will last its full term.
Sources said PDP is unlikely to go for reshuffle of its party ministers.
“Though one berth of a cabinet minister has fallen vacant after the ouster of Haseeb Drabu, CM is in no mood to bring any new face at this time. There will be no change in portfolios also,” they said.