With the buzz of Narendra Modi ministry’s reshuffle in the air, the Delhi-bound journeys of prominent leaders, widely seen as Cabinet hopefuls, attracted attention on Monday. Among those seen taking off for the national capital were former Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP leader from Madhya Pradesh Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Photos tweeted by news agency ANI showed Congress-turned-BJP leader, Jyotiraditya Scindia, praying at Ujjain’s Mahakal temple before reportedly leaving for Delhi. The agency also posted photos of Sonowal, who ceded Assam CMship to Himanta Biswa Sarma after assembly polls this year, leaving for the Capital from Guwahati.

Also Read | 8 new Governors appointed, Union minister Thaawarchand Gehlot gets Karnataka

The Prime Minister was earlier scheduled to hold a meeting with BJP president JP Nadda, reportedly to discuss the reshuffle, but the meeting was cancelled. According to reports, senior party leaders may make a shift to the Cabinet, necessitating an organisational rejig too. The buzz in political circles is that the PM may accommodate leaders from five states going to polls in 2022.

The Cabinet reshuffle buzz gained further traction by governor appointments/rejig announced by President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday. Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot Thaawarchand Gehlot was among the eight leaders appointed as Governors of various states. This added to the number of vacancies in the Cabinet.

Also Read | Delhi govt launches financial assistance scheme for families of COVID victims

The Union Cabinet, which is allowed to have 81 members, currently has 53 ministers. This means a vacancy of 28.