Not only was the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 campaign notably centered on the southern regions, but it seems that Prime Minister Modi's third-term government is poised to prioritise the South as well, with over 10 Ministers and Ministers of State hailing from the southern states securing positions in the administration.





 








In Modi 3.0, the Centre has allocated cabinet berths to key allies in the southern region, along with important ministerial roles to its own party leaders from Kerala. Notably, two Minister of State positions have been given to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from Kerala, marking a significant milestone after the party's electoral success in the state.


From HDK To Kishan Reddy: Three Ministers From South










One of the significant highlights of Modi 3.0 is that this is the first instance of having the highest number of 72 Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister. This decision to accommodate such a large number of Ministers and Ministers of State underscores the NDA's careful balancing act especially as Modi leads a coalition government.






 





In the coalition government, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief, HD Kumaraswamy, has been entrusted with the charge of Minister of Heavy Industries and Minister of Steel.


The kingmaker Telugu Desam Party's Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has been appointed Minister of Civil Aviation. On the other hand, Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party president and Secunderabad MP, G Kishan Reddy, has been given the responsibility of Minister of Coal and Minister of Mines.


8 MoS Emerge From 5 Southern States


In a bid to strengthen its presence in Kerala, the BJP has strategically appointed Suresh Gopi, a popular Kerala movie star turned politician, as Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism. This move follows the BJP's historic electoral victory in Kerala's Thrissur, where Gopi emerged victorious.


George Kurian, the BJP's General Secretary from Kerala, has been appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, signaling the party's intent to expand its influence in the state.


Other appointments include BJP MP V Somanna, who defeated Congress' SP Muddahanumegowda in Karnataka's Tumkur Lok Sabha seat, being allocated Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways. BJP MP Shobha Karandiaje, who triumphed in Bengaluru North, has been assigned Minister of State in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.


TDP MP Chandra Sekhar Pemmasanı, known as one of the richest candidates in the Lok Sabha polls, has been appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development and Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications, following his victory in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur constituency.


Overall the move to include 8 Minister of State from south highlights the Modi government's efforts to consolidate alliances and strengthen its presence in the southern region.


ALSO READ: Kerala's First BJP MP Suresh Gopi Takes Charge As MoS Tourism And Petroleum & Natural Gas