Seven women, including two in Cabinet roles, have been inducted into the new council of ministers as Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his third consecutive term.
NEW DELHI: Seven women, including two in Cabinet roles, have been inducted into the new council of ministers as Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his third consecutive term. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marked the beginning of Modi 3.0 with notable female representation amidst a larger cabinet reshuffle.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath, with notable figures and international dignitaries in attendance.
Women Ministers in Modi’s New Cabinet:
Here is a closer look at the seven women ministers sworn in:
1. Nirmala Sitharaman: Serving her third consecutive term, Nirmala Sitharaman continues her role as a pivotal member of Modi’s Cabinet. Known for her tenure as Finance Minister, she has been a central figure in implementing second-generation reforms. Her leadership in the BJP as a spokesperson and minister has been instrumental since 2014.
2. Annapurna Devi: Annapurna Devi’s political journey began unexpectedly after the sudden death of her husband in 1998. She has since become a significant figure, especially among the OBC vote bank in Jharkhand. Her first ministerial role in 2021 raised many eyebrows, but her influence extends across the state, making her a crucial player in Modi’s new government.
3. Anupriya Singh Patel: The president of Apna Dal (Soneylal) since 2016, Anupriya Patel has served in various ministerial roles, including as Minister of State for Commerce and Industry. Representing Mirzapur in the Lok Sabha since 2014, her party has been a consistent ally of the BJP, contributing significantly to Modi’s coalition.
4. Shobha Karandlaje: A three-time Lok Sabha member, Shobha Karandlaje is known for her outspoken stance on contentious issues. A close confidante of B.S. Yediyurappa, previously served as Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, highlighting her importance in the new Cabinet.
5. Raksha Khadse: Raksha Khadse has been appointed as the Minister of State. Raksha’s political career took off after personal tragedy, leading to her becoming a three-term Lok Sabha member. Her rise from sarpanch to national politics underscores her resilience and dedication, making her an influential figure in the Modi government.
6. Savitri Thakur: A prominent woman tribal leader from Madhya Pradesh, Savitri Thakur has been involved in politics since 2003. After a hiatus in 2019, she made a strong comeback by winning the Dhar seat in the 2024 elections. Her leadership is expected to strengthen the government’s connection with tribal communities.\
7. Nimuben Bambhaniya: A former teacher and two-term mayor of Bhavnagar, Nimuben Bambhaniya joined the Union Cabinet as a Minister of State. Her significant victory in the Bhavnagar constituency highlights her political acumen and her representation of the OBC Koli community.
Leaders Dropped from the New Cabinet:
Notable omissions from the previous council include Smriti Irani, Bharti Pawar, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Darshana Jardosh, Meenakshi Lekhi, and Pratima Bhoumik. These changes reflect a strategic reshuffle to bring new faces and perspectives into the government.
On Monday, Prime Minister Modi signed his first official document authorising the release of the 17th installment of the PM Kishan Nidhi scheme, benefiting 9.3 crore farmers and distributing approximately Rs 20,000 crore. This action reaffirms the government’s commitment to supporting agriculture and rural development.
The first meeting of the new government is scheduled for 5 PM today, where initial strategies and priorities will likely be outlined.