Labour minister Santosh Gangwar resigned from the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI. He was the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour and Employment since 2019. His resignation comes ahead of an expected Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday evening.

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“Yes I have resigned,” Gangwar told PTI when asked if he has stepped down from the post.

He, however, isn’t aware of his next role in the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This will be the first Cabinet reshuffle since Modi assumed the charge since his thumping victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

In the reshuffle, the PM is expected to bring in young faces, along with giving representation to those from different social and regional backgrounds, the news agency reported.

This comes ahead of the Assembly polls in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. 

The PM can induct members of Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) allies, such as JD(U), LJP and Apna Dal. Since parties such as Shiv Sena and Akali Dal have severed ties with the party, it’ll try to bolster support from its existing allies.

Also read: Scindia, Sonowal, Rane among probables for Cabinet berth

Among those whose names are doing the rounds as probable inductees in the Modi Cabinet are RCP Singh (JDU), Pashupati Nath Paras (LJP) and Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal).

From BJP, those who are expected to get a Cabinet berth include former Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal, former Bihar deputy CM Sushil Modi, MP Jyotiraditya Scindia and MP Varun Gandhi. 

The new ministers are expected to take the oath at 6 pm in Rashtrapati Bhawan. However, there is no official confirmation yet.