New Delhi: Najma Heptulla and GM Siddeshwara on Tuesday stepped down as Union ministers just over a week after a major cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Heptulla resigned as minister for Minority Affairs and her junior Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has been elevated to independent charge of the ministry.
Siddheswara stepped down as minister of state for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and that portfolio was assigned to Babul Supriyo who was moved out of Urban Development.
Sources said Heptulla was asked to quit as she was over 75 - the age limit for ministers in Modi's team - and that the PM was not happy with her performance. It's not yet clear why she was not asked to go on July 5 itself.
Siddheswara, it is learnt, was asked to quit during the reshuffle, but he had asked for time as it was the time of his birthday. Sources said he put in his papers a few days later and that it was accepted now.
"I am primarily a BJP worker. I am happy with the decision of the PM. In future I Will work for the development of my constituency," he told CNN-News18.
Supriyo said he was not unhappy at being shifted out of Urban Development and that he has been given a more challenging assignment.
"It's a challenging role. I thank the PM for trusting me. Whatever my boss gives me, I will take it. Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Ministry is very important," Supriyo said.
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