Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on Friday evening meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda at his residence – 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

The high-level meeting is taking place amid speculation that a reshuffle of the Union Cabinet could be on the cards.

Times Now Group Editor (Politics) Navika Kumar had reported earlier that the PM was set to begin assessment meetings and consultations on the exercise starting this evening.

It was reported that during the meetings with the PM, the incumbent ministers’ performance will be reviewed and their views will also be taken on the road ahead.

Two reasons are being attributed for the exercise. First, a lot of ministers are handling multiple portfolios and a need has been felt to take off some of their load. Further, a need is being felt to give more representation to the allies in the Union Cabinet ahead of crucial Assembly Elections next year, including in politically-sensitive Uttar Pradesh.

Times Now reported that the exercise could also be undertaken as part of the image makeover for the government, coming after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which brought in criticism for the government from all quarters over its handling of the situation.

It may be noted that the Modi 2.0 Cabinet has not seen any reshuffle since the government came to power for the second consecutive time in May 2019. Sources said many sectors of the economy are in need of rejuvenation and rejig of the Union Council of Ministers could provide a much-needed boost.

There is also speculation that the meeting could also have been held to discuss Uttar Pradesh, where also there is speculation of a Yogi Adityanath Cabinet reshuffle happening ahead of next year’s Assembly Elections.

Yogi has met all three leaders – PM Modi, Shah and Nadda in Delhi over the past two days – amid reports that dissent is brewing in the state over the chief minister’s leadership.