Why Modi is keen on 3rd & 'final' cabinet reshuffle before 2019 polls

The long awaited cabinet reshuffle of the Narendra Modi government, its third and possibly its final before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, is set to take place by Sunday afternoon.

Laggards among the ministers are being dropped. Performers among ministers of state, including those with independent charges, are set to be promoted. Some of the leaders who have excelled in organisational work will be included in the council of ministers, and some ministers asked to return to party work.

New ally Janata Dal (United) will get representation. Existing allies, who need to be placated in the run up to the 2019 polls, could get more ministerial berths. There is still no clarity on whether AIADMK might be included in the cabinet.

However, the shape of the forthcoming expansion and reshuffle would highlight the failures of the Modi government on some of its key promises – job growth and skill development, improvements promised in the farm sector and Ganga rejuvenation.

Also Read : Is Modi winning fake currency war? A data you shouldn't miss

In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had promised 20 million jobs a year if voted to power. However, job growth has been abysmal, and significantly lower than the last three years of the UPA 2 government. The PM and BJP chief Amit Shah have argued how the MUDRA Scheme has provided loans to over 80 million people, which in turn has provided employment in the informal sector.

But it's becoming increasingly apparent that the over two percent dip in GDP growth, the impact of demonetisation and inability of the industry to invest resulted in poor job growth. The Modi government’s plans to impart skills to a large section of the youths has fallen way short of its targets. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, despite his hard work in what was a newly carved out ministry in 2014, couldn’t meet the PM’s expectations as the minister of state (independent charge) for skill development and entrepreneurship. (more)

How did Jayalalithaa enter politics from film industry?

1964- Jayalalithaa makes her film debut in a lead role in 'Chinnada Gombe' a Kannada film. To support her debt-ridden family, Jayalalithaa gives us on her dreams of becoming a lawyer and plunges into the film industry.

1965- Jayalalithaa's Tamil film debut comes in the landmark blockbuster hit, 'Venniraadai'. In the same year, she stars in a film, 'Aayirathil Oruvan', with Tamil cinema's biggest star MG Ramachandran (MGR) for the first time, to begin what remains among the most successful screen pairings in Tamil cinema, as well as one of the most critical relationships in her life.

1965 - 1980 -This was the peak of Jayalalithaa's film career. She was among the highest-paid actresses in the country at the time, and endorsed top brands. In this period, she acted in over 140 films, of which about 120 were blockbuster hits.

1970 - Jayalalithaa has a falling out with MGR, after he chooses to work with another leading lady.

1971 - Jayalalithaa's mother Sandhya dies.

1973 - She stars in a movie with MGR for the last time, in 'Pattikaattu Ponnaiya', a year after he split from the DMK to launch the AIADMK.

1977 - Jayalalithaa steps back from films.

1980 - Jayalalithaa stars in a Tamil movie, 'Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal', for the last time. Her last film in a leading role however was the Telugu film 'Nayakudu Vinayakudu'.

1981 - Jayalalithaa revives relationship with MGR.

1982 - Jayalalithaa joins MGR's AIADMK and soon after delivers her maiden political speech at the party conference.

1983- She is appointed the AIADMK's propaganda secretary.

1984 - She is elected to the Rajya Sabha, as MGR wants her there for her fluency in English and knowledge of several languages. She remains a member of the Rajya Sabha till 1989. She becomes a key campaigner for the AIADMK as the party wins a massive election victory despite MGR remaining hospitalized through the campaigning. Her rising prominence irks senior hands in the party. Her attempt to be named interim CM also does not go well with MGR.

1986 - MGR sacks Jayalalithaa from all party posts after she forms a parallel political outfit. However, she continues as Rajya Sabha member of the AIAMDK.

1987 - MGR dies, leaving no clear political heir. AIADMK descends into chaos over his legacy. Jayalalithaa competes with his widow Janaki for control of the party. The party splits into two major factions, one behind each woman.

1989 - The Assembly election saw the Jayalalithaa faction win 27 seats to the Janaki faction's two. Janaki steps aside to clear the way for Jayalalithaa's accession to MGR's legacy. Jayalalithaa becomes Tamil Nadu's first woman Leader of Opposition. During the budget session, she s assaulted in the Assembly Hall and a senior DMK leader attempts to disrobe her. She vows she will not return except as Chief Minister.

1991 -Allied with the Congress, and rocketed by the sympathy wave following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, Jayalalithaa storms to power as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time.

Live: Jlithaa laidayala to rest next to her mentor MGR at Marina Beach

Live: PM Modi pays last respect to Jayalalithaa, consoles Sasikala, Panneerselvam

People gather in huge number at Rajaji Hall to pay their last respect to Jayalalithaa

13:40: Narendra Modi leaves Rajaji Hall.

13:33: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays last respect to Jayalalithaa, consoles Sasikala, Panneerselvam.

13:31: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam breaks down in front of Narendra Modi.

13:25: At least one million queue up at Rajaji Hall in Chennai to get a last glimpse of Jayalalithaa

13:18: BSP Chief Mayawati to attend Jayalalithaa's funeral

13:12: Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu): Supporters shave their heads in mourning after the demise of#JJayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/hrhWYrgAoU

13:08: Jayalalithaa was an iron lady. An amazing woman and a great leader. Connect she had with people was unprecedented. It is a huge loss: Shatrughan Sinha

13:04 PM: President Pranab Mukherjee has left Delhi for Chennai to pay last tributes to Jayalalithaa, who passed away on Monday.

12:59: Tamil Nadu: PM Modi arrives in Chennai to pay last tributes to #JJayalalithaa who passed away yesterday pic.twitter.com/TKjc3Adt4T

11:38: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive in Chennai soon to pay his last respect and tributes to one of his political friends J Jayalalithaa

11:27: Jayalalithaa was true fighter and great inspiration to many women leaders across country: TRS MP K Kavitha

11:23: India has lost one of its shining stars. Jayalalithaa ji made her mark both as an artist and as a politician. Deeply sad at her demise: Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad

Click here to watch this video

10:33: Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. She has left a huge void in Indian politics. This video is my tribute to her. (more)

Tamil Nadu: Blow for Karunanidhi family's business interests?

Tamil Nadu: Blow for Karunanidhi family's business interests?

Thursday’s state election results are likely to make the fortunes for some businesses and mar for some others. The biggest and most prominent loser of the day was from the family of DMK chief M Karunanidhi. On the day of the results, the Sun TV stock lost Rs 2,229 crore in market value. Its market capitalisation fell from Rs 16,845 crore at its close on Thursday to Rs 14,616 crore at the end of the day. By virtue of his 75 per cent holding, DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s grandnephew Kalanithi Maran would take three-fourths of that hit.

This notional loss could be an indicator of the bad news in store for the family’s business interests that extend beyond media. While Maran was among the first in the family to get into organised business through his venture into broadcast media in the early 1990s, there were others who have followed in his footsteps. After a brief break-up in relations with the Marans, Karunanidhi’s immediate family members floated Kalaignar TV in 2007. At the time Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal owned 60 per cent, while his daughter Kanimozhi owned 20 per cent. Karunanidhi’s grandsons, from his sons Stalin and Azhagiri have also built interests in a range of businesses from real estate to movies to granite mining.

The management of Sun TV has often maintained that its business is independent of the government in power, but the market seems to be understanding it differently. A second term of the AIADMK could prove to be tougher for the family as it does not have the cushion of a friendly regime at the Centre. Read more.