The first-ever reshuffling in the second term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet has focused on nurturing young leaders, focusing on North-East states.
Five leaders from the North-East have joined PM Narendra Modi’s Council of Ministers, which is the highest ever representation from the region. The focus is on getting young people on board and nurturing leadership. 16 first-time MPs have been inducted into the Council of Ministers.
In Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reshuffling of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday (July 7), there have been many firsts.
Arunachal Pradesh has got representation in the Union Cabinet for the first time. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and wrote, “First time in the history of the State, an Arunachali makes it as Cabinet Minister in the Union Government. Thank you PM @narendramodi Ji for believing in @KirenRijiju Ji. This reflects deep care and concern for the development of Arunachal and North East by PM Modi.”
Pratima Bhowmik, a Lok Sabha MP from Tripura, is the first-ever leader from the state to find a place in the Union Council of Ministers.
Bhowmik, a BJP karyakarta since 1991, is the second-ever women leader from the North-East to join the Union Council of Ministers.
This is also the first time when five leaders from the North-East region have found places in the Union Council of Ministers, two as Cabinet ministers and three as ministers of state.
Sarbananda Sonowal from Assam is Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Minister of AYUSH. Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh is Minister of Law and Justice.
Sixteen first-time MPs have found places in the Union Council of Ministers.
Anurag Thakur was a junior minister in the Ministry of Finance. He has been elevated as a cabinet minister to the Information & Broadcasting ministry.
With new inductions, the women's strength in the Council of Ministers is 11, the highest since 2004.
Nisith Pramanik, 35, a first-time MP from West Bengal, is the youngest member of the Council of Ministers.
