Union ministers for health and petroleum, JP Nadda (L) and Dharmendra Pradhan (R)

NEW DELHI: BJP on Monday appeared to be in the throes of anxiety and expectation amid mounting speculation of its chief Amit Shah being asked to leave the organisation to join the Modi government.

While the possibility of Shah being assigned a crucial responsibility in Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s team has been speculated since he was fielded from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, the buzz seems to be escalating in the wake of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s announcement on Sunday about the swearing-in of the new government on May 30.

The anxiety in the BJP office was palpable as party functionaries pondered the likely shape of things in view of Shah’s likely departure from the organisation, which follows the one person-one post principle. Names of Union ministers for health and petroleum, Jagat P Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan , were discussed as possible replacements amid unanimity that filling Shah’s boots will not be easy.

A confidant of the PM, Shah has cemented his place in the saffron pantheon as one of the most successful party presidents by turning the organisation into an effective poll machine and by leading the party to a string of victories that have consolidated BJP as the dominant political formation. “He has set a benchmark that will be tough to meet,” said a senior leader.

Party circles feel Shah will be asked to move to the government as part of the plan to push for speedy implementation of Modi’s ambitious agenda for his second term, and is sure to get a crucial portfolio. Sources said he might get the finance ministry in case Arun Jaitley decides to take a break for health reasons.

Sources also said Modi and Shah are likely to be diligent about finalising the choices for ministries which will be crucial for government’s focus on generation of jobs. “The focus will be on agriculture, fisheries, food processing, mining, coal, small-scale industries, textiles, housing, steel and commerce. They may not look glamorous, but will be very important in the PM’s scheme of things,” said a Union minister who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Party sources said in 2014, Modi chose his ministry on the feedback of his trusted party colleagues based in Delhi and chose to, save in a few cases, persist with them.

However, selection of ministers this time around will be guided by the PM’s estimate of the efficiency of the existing members and new inductions. Although political considerations like forthcoming state polls, need to consolidate hard-fought gains in West Bengal, Odisha and northeast will be heeded, the focus will be on efficiency, sources said. Shah will play a crucial role in deciding the composition of the council of ministers.

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In Video: Nadda, Pradhan may be BJP president options if Amit Shah gets responsibility in Centre