In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Madhya Pradesh government has withdrawn the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department from Minister of State (Independent Charge) Lakhan Patel, assigning the portfolio to Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav.

Following the change, Patel will now oversee only the Anand (Happiness) Department, making him the first minister in the state's history to exclusively head the department.

The General Administration Department (GAD) issued an official notification formalising the decision soon after the Chief Minister approved the portfolio reallocation.

According to government sources, Chief Minister Yadav met Lakhan Patel at the State Hangar before departing for Ujjain with minister Gautam Tetwal.

CM Now Holds 11 Departments

With the latest change, Dr Mohan Yadav now directly handles 11 departments, including General Administration, Home, Prisons, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Public Relations, Narmada Valley Development, Aviation, Mineral Resources, Public Service Management, Non-Resident Indians (NRI), and Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development, besides departments not assigned to any other minister.

The official notification, however, did not mention the Forest Department.

Gaushala Land Allocation Reportedly Triggered Move

Sources indicated that the decision followed concerns over the proposed allocation of land for self-reliant gaushalas (cow shelters) across the state.

The government was reportedly dissatisfied with the credentials of several institutions shortlisted for the project. Despite these concerns, officials and the minister were allegedly preparing to proceed with the allocations.

According to sources, Chief Minister Yadav had repeatedly discussed the issue with Patel over the past three to four months.

Complaints regarding the proposed land allotments reportedly reached senior leaders of both the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after which the government decided to transfer the portfolio.

Only Anand Department Remains

The move leaves Lakhan Patel in charge of only the Anand Department, created by the Madhya Pradesh government in 2016 to promote citizen well-being and happiness initiatives.

Reacting to the development, Sudhir Nayak, president of the Mantralaya Officers and Employees Association, said that for the first time since its creation, the Anand Department would function as the sole responsibility of a cabinet-rank minister.

In a social media post, Nayak described the decision as recognition of the department's growing importance within the state's governance framework.

Second Portfolio Change in Mohan Yadav Government

Lakhan Patel is the second minister in the Mohan Yadav-led government to lose a key portfolio.

Earlier, Nagar Singh Chauhan was divested of the Forest and Environment Department, which was subsequently assigned to Ramniwas Rawat. After Rawat lost the by-election, the portfolio reverted to the Chief Minister, where it has remained since.

The latest reshuffle further consolidates key administrative departments under the Chief Minister's direct supervision.

Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha is reportedly among the frontrunners for a ministerial position in the Narendra Modi-led Union government as the BJP is believed to be considering a Cabinet reshuffle. Alongside Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Chancellor of Lovely Professional University (LPU), and senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh are also being viewed as possible contenders for representation from Punjab.

The speculation comes after the Rajya Sabha tenure of Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu ended on June 21. Under constitutional provisions, a minister who is not a Member of Parliament can continue in office for only six months, meaning Bittu would need to secure parliamentary membership by December or vacate the post. This has triggered discussions over who could represent Punjab in the Union Cabinet if changes are made.

Although there has been no official announcement from the BJP or the Union government, political circles have been abuzz with reports that a Cabinet expansion or reshuffle could take place in the coming days. The speculation gained further momentum after Union Home Minister Amit Shah met President Droupadi Murmu, though the meeting's agenda has not been officially linked to any Cabinet changes.

Raghav Chadha's name has attracted particular attention because of his recent political shift from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Once considered among AAP's most influential leaders in Punjab, Chadha played a key role during the party's sweeping victory in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, where it secured 92 of the state's 117 Assembly seats.

During the initial years of the Bhagwant Mann-led government, Chadha was widely regarded as one of the party's principal strategists in Punjab. However, relations between him and the AAP leadership reportedly deteriorated over time. His eventual departure from the party marked one of the most significant political developments in Punjab in recent years.

According to reports, Chadha also played an important role in persuading several AAP parliamentarians to join the BJP, strengthening the ruling party's position while weakening its political rival. His organisational experience, communication skills and familiarity with Punjab's political landscape are believed to have enhanced his prospects within the BJP.

Political observers believe appointing Chadha as a Union minister could provide the BJP with a prominent face in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. His experience in urban constituencies and his ability to connect with professionals, entrepreneurs and business communities may help the party expand its support base in key cities such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.

At the same time, his elevation could pose challenges for the Aam Aadmi Party. Having once been one of AAP's principal campaigners in Punjab, Chadha's criticism of his former party from a ministerial platform could influence political perceptions and potentially encourage more leaders to switch sides.

However, Chadha is not the only name under consideration. Ashok Mittal, who represents Punjab in the Rajya Sabha and is associated with the education sector through Lovely Professional University, is also viewed as a strong candidate. Senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh, recently nominated to the Rajya Sabha, is another experienced leader whose organisational role within the party makes him a potential choice.

Despite the growing speculation, the BJP has not confirmed any names or indicated the timing of a possible Cabinet reshuffle. Until an official announcement is made, the reports remain political speculation.

If a reshuffle takes place, Punjab's representation in the Union Council of Ministers is expected to be among the key issues closely watched by political observers.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced his resignation on Thursday, clearing the path for Deputy CM DK Shivakumar to assume leadership of the Congress government in the state.

Breakfast Meeting Confirms Transition

Siddaramaiah informed his cabinet colleagues about the decision during a breakfast meeting at his official Bengaluru residence this morning. Law Minister H K Patil confirmed that ministers present at the gathering approved Shivakumar's name as the successor.

The outgoing Chief Minister is scheduled to visit Lok Bhavan at 2:30 PM to submit his resignation papers, followed by a press conference at 3 PM. Visuals from the breakfast meeting showed Shivakumar touching Siddaramaiah's feet in a traditional gesture, after which the two leaders embraced—images that political circles interpreted as a signal of unity within the Congress.

Governor Out of Bengaluru

Siddaramaiah had sought an appointment with Governor Thawarchand Gehlot to formally tender his resignation. However, officials confirmed the Governor is currently in Indore due to personal reasons. Under constitutional provisions, the Chief Minister can submit his resignation in writing to Raj Bhavan officials even in the Governor's absence. Siddaramaiah will remain in office until the resignation is formally accepted.

 The 2.5-Year Formula Takes Effect

Speculation over a leadership change has shadowed the Karnataka Congress ever since it formed government in May 2023. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were strong contenders for the top post at the time. According to party insiders, Rahul Gandhi and the high command brokered an informal rotational arrangement—Siddaramaiah would serve the first half of the term, and Shivakumar would take over after two-and-a-half years.

Though Siddaramaiah's supporters repeatedly denied any formal agreement, the Shivakumar camp consistently maintained the deal existed. The government completed two-and-a-half years in November 2025, after which pressure from Shivakumar's faction intensified. A six-hour meeting in Delhi on May 26 finalised the transition plan.

 Major Cabinet Reshuffle Expected

The leadership change is likely to trigger a significant cabinet overhaul. Sources indicate 15 to 20 ministers could be dropped or replaced. Discussions are underway regarding two Deputy Chief Minister posts to balance caste and regional equations—one position may go to a Dalit leader, another to a Lingayat or OBC face. Siddaramaiah's son is also expected to be accommodated in the new cabinet.

 BJP Launches Attack

The opposition BJP quickly criticised the Congress over the developments. State BJP president BY Vijayendra claimed internal infighting had paralysed governance and accused the Siddaramaiah government of pushing Karnataka into heavy debt. The BJP has repeatedly attacked the Congress over leadership speculation since 2023, arguing the state government remained distracted by power struggles.

The Congress Legislature Party is expected to meet on Friday to formally elect Shivakumar as its leader before staking claim to form the new government.