I.S. Saluja

NEW DELHI (TIP): In a balancing act and to refurbish the image of the government, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, reshuffled his ministry, dropping 12 ministers and inducting 15 cabinet ministers and 28 junior ministers.

The exercise is believed to have been necessitated by the upcoming elections in a few States, the most important being Uttar Pradesh, a State which plays a decisive role in the fortunes of political parties and the federal government. Modi’s government has faced sharp criticism for the chaotic rollout of a nationwide immunization campaign that experts said had worsened the impact of the second wave, killing hundreds of thousands.The official death toll after a surge in COVID-19 infections in April and May passed 400,000 last week.

More than half of those reported deaths – the third most of any country – occurred during the past two months as the Delta variant of the virus tore through the nation and overwhelmed its already strained healthcare system.

Experts believe the actual number may be much higher and there are fears of a third wave soon. Millions remain unvaccinated.

The reshuffle also comes after the defeat of Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in April elections in the key West Bengal state.

Modi will face another major test of his popularity in state elections in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand states in February and March next year, which may prove to be a bellwether for his party in 2024 national elections.