New Delhi: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Ram Mohan Naidu has been appointed the new Minister of Civil Aviation, succeeding the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Jyotiraditya Scindia, who now heads the Telecom Ministry. Naidu, an influential figure in the TDP and son of former Union Minister Kinjarapu Yerran Naidu, represents Andhra Pradesh and has a consistent winning streak in the Srikakulam constituency.
This cabinet reshuffle highlights the TDP’s crucial role in the BJP-led coalition’s success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with Naidu’s appointment reflecting the party’s strong support. As the second-largest party in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the TDP has secured four ministerial positions along with the prestigious Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair.
The new cabinet lineup announced on Monday includes several prominent leaders retaining their positions: Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S Jaishankar continue to manage the Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs ministries, respectively. Nitin Gadkari remains in charge of Road Transport and Highways, while Ashwini Vaishnaw continues to oversee Railways, now with additional responsibilities for Information and Broadcasting.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been named Agriculture Minister, and former Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar will manage Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
In the 2024 elections, the BJP won 240 seats, forming the government with the support of 53 seats from NDA allies, significantly aided by the TDP and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United). The JDU has secured two ministerial roles, with Lalan Singh taking on Panchayati Raj.
Prime Minister Modi will also oversee the ministries of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space. Despite a strong performance by the opposition INDIA bloc, led by the Congress, which secured 293 seats, the NDA managed to maintain power.
The BJP faced challenges in the southern states, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where they failed to secure seats and saw a decline in support. Nonetheless, Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy from Karnataka has been appointed Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel.
