Indian Prime Minister Modi to Meet Junior Ministers Amid Cabinet Expansion Speculation

This will be the second time in nearly 12 years that the prime minister will interact directly with his junior ministers. It is believed that after the meeting, the prime minister may also speak separately to select ministers of state. Earlier, nine months after becoming prime minister in 2014, Modi had a meeting with the team of ministers of state in March 2015. In that meeting, along with discussing the government's policies, the ministers of state were instructed to take direct feedback from the public. There are 36 ministers of state and 5 ministers of minister of state with independent charge in the Modi government. According to sources, after the presentation on the work, current and future policies, achievements, the ministers of state of the concerned ministry will also get a chance to speak for three minutes each. The meeting is taking place at a time when speculation is rife that the Modi cabinet will be expanded. It is believed that the prime minister may give a new look to his team after the BRICS meeting and amid the BJP's month-long nationwide outreach campaign starting from his birthday on September 17.