Cabinet reshuffle will take place on Sunday. Around a dozen new ministers are likely to be inducted in the Union Council of Ministers. Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is all set to join as Defence Minister. There is a possibility that some ministers with independent charge may be elevated to the cabinet rank and Ministers holding several portfolios may be divested of some of the ministries.

Among the names doing the rounds for induction are Jayant Sinha, son of former Minister Yashwant Sinha, party Vice President Mukhtra Abbas Naqvi, BJP leaders from Haryana Choudhary Birender Singh, MPs Anurag Thakur, Col. Sonaram Chaudhary and Hansraj Ahir. Some leaders of NDA ally are also expected to be inducted in the council of ministers.

It will be the first expansion of the Narendra Modi government since it came to power in May this year. Our correspondent reports that BJP Parliamentary Board is likely to meet tomorrow to give a final touch to the new list of leaders who will join the cabinet.