Dr. Devi Shetty, the chairman and founder of Narayana Health, is a reputed cardiac surgeon. It is speculated that the accomplished doctor will be manning the Union Health portfolio after a Cabinet reshuffle later this year.

Recently, a Rediff article said that Narendra Modi is considering reshuffling the portfolio and strip Dr. Harsh Vardhan of his current responsibilities. He will be moved to a different department, and Shetty will step up.

But the speculation sounds far-fetched for a variety of reasons. If the Prime Minister reshuffles the Cabinet and enlists a new Health Minister, it will be a tacit admission that the government has bungled up big-time on handling the second wave of the pandemic. Moreover, Modi prefers politicians to experts.

At best, Shetty might become a major influencer in the Union Health Ministry, where his lateral entry can lead to some far-reaching changes. Shetty has got an impressive track record and that's why Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa recently gave him the responsibility of making suggestions to prevent the third wave in the State.

He has written more than once that he believes that Modi's leadership will help the country tide over the vaccine and coronavirus crisis. It may be noted that Shetty has also praised Modi recently while talking about how the government moved heaven and earth to prevent the oxygen crisis from getting worse. But does it mean Modi will have him man the health ministry itself? Maybe not.