New Delhi: Najma Heptullah, one of the two Muslim ministers in the union cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is likely to be dropped to make way for Shiv Sena.
Najma Heptullah was sworn in as Minority Affairs Minister when the BJP formed the government at the centre after winning the 2014 general elections.
She is the grand niece of India's first education minister and one of the tallest figures in India's freedom struggle Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
As per reports coming from New Delhi's power circle, Prime Minister Modi is said to be 'unhappy' with her work performance.
The Prime Minister, sources said, wants Najma's exit to be 'honourable' and thus, she is likely to be made Governor of a state.
Najma, who will turn 75 early next year, is the senior most member of Modi's Cabinet. She was born on April 14, 1940.
It should also be noted that Modi had set up a cut-off age of 75 for ministers in his government so that the young minds and energetic leaders could be part of his team.
It is also learnt that Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the other Muslim in Modi's cabinet, who is MoS for Minority Affairs, may be elevated to the cabinet rank. He is likely to be made Minister of Minority Affairs.
Sources also said that the cabinet re-shuffle, third since Modi took oath of the office in May, is to accommodate Shiv Sena. The Sena had boycotted the cabinet expansion last month due to differences with the BJP in Maharashtra. The two however formed the alliance once again after a break-up of about two weeks.
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