Prime Minister Narendra Modi has retained Kiren Rijiju, Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh, and Sarbananda Sonowal, representing the Dibrugarh constituency in Assam, in his cabinet while welcoming a new face, Rajya Sabha MP from Assam, Pabitra Margherita, as a Minister of State. Although their portfolios are yet to be announced, their inclusion reflects a strategic balance of experience and regional representation from North East India.
Kiren Rijiju: A Steadfast Figure from Arunachal Pradesh
Kiren Rijiju, born on November 19, 1971, has been a significant presence in Indian politics, serving as the Cabinet Minister for Earth Sciences and Food Processing Industries since 2023 and 2024. Additionally, he is the Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal West, a position he has held since 2014, with previous tenures from 2004 to 2009. Rijiju’s political journey is marked by diverse roles, including Minister of State for Home Affairs (2014-2019), Minister of State for Minority Affairs (2019-2021), and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Sports and Youth Affairs (2019-2021). He also served as the Law Minister from 2021 to 2023.
Sarbananda Sonowal, born on October 31, 1962, has been retained in the cabinet, symbolizing the continued representation of Assam’s interests at the highest level of governance. He currently serves as the Cabinet Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, and AYUSH in the Government of India. Sonowal’s political journey includes serving as the 14th Chief Minister of Assam from 2016 to 2021 and holding various ministerial portfolios at the state and central levels. He has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2021 and previously served as a Member of Parliament from the Lok Sabha.
Pabitra Margherita, the new face in the cabinet, brings representation from the Rajya Sabha, adding depth to the government’s legislative prowess. While his portfolio is yet to be unveiled, his inclusion underscores the government’s commitment to regional inclusivity and parliamentary diversity.
Prime Minister Modi’s decision to retain seasoned leaders like Rijiju and Sonowal while welcoming new talent like Margherita signals a strategic blend of experience and fresh perspectives in driving the nation’s development agenda forward in North East India.
As the portfolios of the newly inducted ministers are awaited, their induction into the cabinet sets the stage for robust governance and focused leadership in addressing the diverse challenges facing the nation.