Cabinet reshuffle: Prayer and TweetsWith whispers of a cabinet reshuffle growing louder, divine intervention seems to trend higher than anything else. Several ministers, facing uncertainty over their portfolios, are reportedly turning to temples, spiritual gurus–and ‘X’–to keep their seats warm. “These days, we’re praying to God more,” joked a Minister of State, half in jest, when cornered by curious journalists. Sources say the reshuffle, expected sometime between late May and June, could shake up as many as seven to eight ministries. And while the Prime Minister’s choices remain tightly guarded, the ripple effect is clearly felt. Ministers, once quiet on social media, are now suddenly out in full digital force–posting achievements, celebrating schemes, and liking just the right tweets. Coincidence? Hardly. Meanwhile, some MPs hoping to snag a spot in the cabinet have taken the spiritual route too. From temple hopping to astro-consultations, it has been a season of silent prayers and subtle moves. A Lok Sabha MP even made a high-profile visit to a spiritual leader in his home state, sparking speculation about divine endorsements for political elevation. Only time will tell if blessing or branding makes the cut. IB chief may get 1-yr extension Incumbent Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Tapan Kumar Deka may get another tenure extension of a year, as the government intends to keep him in the office for reasons including the critical role he is playing in troubled Manipur and also the lack of adequately experienced senior officers in the country’s internal spy agency. Deka, an IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre from the 1988 batch and a native of Assam, is considered an expert in matters relating to the North East. His extended tenure ends in June this year, but sources said he will likely get an extension. Currently, there are no serving IB officers from the 1989-1992 IPS batches—the pool from which the government could typically consider selecting. Thus, it has developed cold feet about appointing any officer who belongs to a batch later than 1992. The IB has a tradition of getting its chief by promotion from within.
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