Cabinet Reshuffle: How media and their ‘sources’ got it all wrong

BJP leader Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi led NDA Government on Sunday had third reshuffle since formation in May 2014 inducting a fresh set of ministers. Nine new ministers were included in council of ministers and four were promoted to Union Cabinet.

Most media not only had it all wrong about who gets which ministry, but they even went on a different tangent when Nirmala Sitharaman swore in as India’s first full time female Defence Minister. Previously, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had chosen to handle the portfolio as PM herself, handled it briefly. However, most media houses which claimed to have exclusive information about Cabinet reshuffle had it all wrong.

Times Now had an exclusive story on how Arun Jaitley, who was handling additional charge of Defence, will retain the same.

In fact, even as ministers were swearing in, NDTV journalists were busy “Breaking” news through their exclusive sources that Jaitley is retaining Defence.

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The sources at NDTV were in full form.

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Except, Prabhu is now the Minister of Commerce and Industry.

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Before that the sources were of the opinion that either Sushma Swaraj or Suresh Prabhu might get Defence.

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While some wondered if it could be Nitin Gadkari

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But earlier, Economic Times had said Gadkari could be made the Railways Minister and Prabhu to be shifted to environment ministry. There were also speculations that Radha Mohan Singh could be asked to go whereas he continues to remain the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister. NDTV sources also said that “Janata Dal (United)’s Ram Chandra Prasad Singh and Santosh Kushwaha are tipped to be ministers” while neither of them were made ministers.

Sources at Times of India also said AIADMK leaders, Thambi Durai and K Venugopal, may also be inducted in the cabinet.

One thing was yet again clear that no leaked stories make their way to media lobbies.

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Others agreed too.

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Even as some senior journalists hid their frustration at not being in the know of who gets which ministry behind series of emojis.

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Nirwa Mehta: Politically incorrect. Author, Flawed But Fabulous.