PM Modi may expand cabinet, Defence ministry likely for Manohar Parrikar

New Delhi: Speculation is rife that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to go in for an expansion of his Cabinet before he goes on a three-nation tour, including the Asean summit in Myanmar and the G-20 summit in Australia next week.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar may take over as defence minister and Jayant Sinha, Hazaribagh MP and son of former Union minister Yashwant Sinha, could be made MoS finance.

Mr Parrikar met Mr Modi and BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday amid reports that he may be taken into the Cabinet.

After meeting Mr Modi, the Goa CM said: “I have not discussed nor has he discussed anything about that. So as of now, the issue is dead. The news is dead.”

Mr Parrikar said he had sought a meeting with the PM to discuss Goa-related issues.

Asked if he would continue as chief minister, he said: ‘Obviously.’ Speculation is rife that the expansion may take place by November 9-10.

Arun Jaitley, who holds the key portfolios of finance and corporate affairs, also holds defence as an additional charge.

Mr Parrikar said that he would know details after meeting the PM.