New Delhi: Shortly after the resignation of BJP leaders Naqvi and Singh, the Modi cabinet handed over the charge of the relinquished posts to Smriti Irani and Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Smriti Irani who heads the women and child Development Ministry was charged to take over the Minority Affairs ministry- which was earlier headed by Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia got another department to his portfolio on Wednesday as he replaced Ram Chandra Prakash Singh who served as the Union Steel Minister.
Both the leader earlier today submitted their resignation to the President of India. Officials in the issue released on acceptance of the resignation said-
President Ram Nath Kovind, on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted the resignations of both the ministers, stated an official release issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“Further, as advised by the prime minister, the President has directed that Smriti Irani be assigned the charge of the ministry of minority affairs, in addition to her existing portfolio,” it said.
Speculations are rife that Naqvi could be projected as the ruling BJP’s candidate in the upcoming vice-presidential elections, slated for August 6.
The speculations gained momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the Union Cabinet meeting held today, reportedly praised Naqvi for his role as a minister over the past eight years.