Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's cabinet reshuffle is the lead story in the country's newspapers on Thursday.

The party has added a new-look government and a revamped organisation to its appeal Indian Express

The shake-up was the biggest since Mr Vajpayee came to power in 1999.

Most papers say the changes have been carried out with an eye on elections in nine states this year and general elections due next year.

The story leads in the Indian Express, which carries the headline: "Carrot-and-stick reshuffle, reforms win".

The paper quotes Mr Vajpayee saying the changes are aimed at strengthening his Bharatiya Janata Party and increasing its popularity to face the challenges ahead.

One analyst in the paper says the reshuffle has added some gloss to the right-wing Hindu nationalist agenda that is being considered an important ingredient for electoral success.

"The party has added a new-look government and a revamped organisation to its appeal and this is likely to be followed up with a soft budget," it said.

'Dead wood'

Another daily, the Hindustan Times, says the reshuffle has clearly demonstrated that the BJP is bent upon asserting itself in the coalition government it leads.

His [Mahajan's] return to party work has already given jitters to the establishment Hindustan Times

The paper says the changes may now help the party's chances in the states where elections are due.

But it says unlike previous reshuffles, this time the influence of Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani was evident.

"The exercise is meant to show the cadres who's boss," an article said.

The Pioneer, a paper considered close to the BJP, has described the reshuffle as a multi-pronged exercise.

"Cut out the dead wood. Spruce up image. Give bite to vital portfolios. Correct past mistakes. Balance caste equations. And strengthen the party too," says a front-page article.

BJP 'jitters'

Most papers spend time analysing the unexpected departure from the cabinet of the high-profile and media savvy communications minister, Pramod Mahajan.

The Times of India says Mr Mahajan's removal from the government and his appointment as a BJP general secretary was the least expected part of the reshuffle.

The paper says the change in his role shows how much attention is being given to the BJP's organisational revamp.

Mr Mahajan is known for his oratorical skills, drive and resourcefulness.

But his new job in the BJP could also ruffle some feathers in the party, the paper said.

The view is shared by other papers.

"His return to party work has already given jitters to the establishment headed by Venkaiah Naidu," the Hindustan Times said.