Mansukh Mandaviya takes charges as Health Minister, Meenakshi Lekhi as MoS for External Affairs

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya arrives to assume office, in New Delhi. Photo/PTI

After taking oath as a Cabinet Ministers on Wednesday, BJP leaders Mansukh Mandaviya took charge of Health and Family Welfare Ministry and Meenakshi Lekhi as new Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Culture on Thursday.

Mandaviya was previously the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilisers in the Modi government.

He will also soon take charge of the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry.

Mandaviya was given the new responsibility after the first cabinet reshuffle in Modi government's second stint on Wednesday.

The Health Ministry was held by Harsh Vardhan, who is one of the top ministers to be dropped in the reshuffle. The Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry was held by D.V. Sadananda Gowda who is also out of the cabinet.

Two-time MP from New Delhi parliamentary constituency, Meenakshi Lekhi took charge as new Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Culture.

Expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief J.P. Nadda and the entire team, Lekhi said, "they prioritised meritocracy and hard work and gave positions to everyone".

Lekhi further praised Prime Minister Modi for giving women leaders big responsibilities in his Cabinet 2.0, saying. "People used to speak of women empowerment, but PM Modi made it possible that the country be led by empowered women. This is praiseworthy," she said.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed Lekhi and Rajkumar Singh to the team of Ministry of External Affairs.

Expressing his wishes through his Twitter account, Jaishankar said: "Delighted to welcome @M_Lekhi and @RanjanRajkuma11 to #TeamMEA. Confident that together, we will promote India's interest abroad effectively. Congratulate all my new ministerial colleagues and look forward to working with them."

In a major overhaul, Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday brought in 36 new faces to his Union Cabinet and promoted seven existing ministers. Meanwhile, 12 top ministers, including Harsh Vardhan, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Prakash Javadekar, have been dropped from the Cabinet.

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