Debasree Chaudhuri, Women And Child Development Min, Dropped In Cabinet Reshuffle

Debasree Chaudhuri, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, has been dropped from the cabinet amid the first major reshuffle in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term. As per reports on Wednesday, the 50-year-old has been relieved of her role ahead of the official announcement for the new cabinet at 6 pm later today.

Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' and Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar too have submitted their resignations ahead of the rejig, citing health reasons, NDTV reports.

Who is Debasree Chaudhuri?

Chaudhuri was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2019 from Raiganj, West Bengal on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket. She was previously a district observer for the party in Kolkata.

In May that year, she was appointed to lead the Women and Child Development portfolio. Notably, that year Chaudhuri came forward to voice support for Trinamool member Nusrat Jahan who faced massive backlash for performing Durga Puja.

"The Constitution of India has given the right to all people to follow religion as per their wish," Chaudhuri had said, questioning why TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee was silent on the matter of supporting a woman from her party.

What Will The New Cabinet Look Like?

Reports say the overhaul is set to be the "youngest-ever" with increased representation of minorities, the oppressed, women and Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The focus is ‘soshit, pidit, vanchhit and adivasi’, sources told News18. Over 20 ministers from Other Backward Classes will be inducted.

The average age in the new cabinet is expected to be a record low with the Modi government going for youthful faces in the new cabinet. Persons with administrative experience will reportedly take up central and state roles.

BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi, Apna Dal's Anupriya Patel, BJP's Shobha Karandlaje and Sunita Duggal are leading probables for the Modi cabinet.

Image: Debasree Chaudhuri / Twitter