Heptulla, Siddeshwara resign, Naqvi promoted

New Delhi: Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla and Minister of State for Heavy Industries GM Siddeshwara put in their papers on Tuesday and President Pranab Mukherjee has accepted their resignations.
Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who was Heptulla’s deputy, was promoted and given independent charge of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
“The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Najma A. Heptulla and G.M. Siddeshwara,” a Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said.
Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Babul Supriyo has been relieved of his present charge and given the portfolio held by Siddeshwara.
The resignations and new appointments come a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reshuffled and expanded his Council of Ministers by inducting 19 new ministers and elevating one to cabinet rank.
Heptulla, 76, had to resign on age grounds as BJP had recently fixed maximum age for ministers at 75.