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PM to reshuffle Cabinet today
Anita Katyal
Our Political Correspondent

However, Congress president’s separate meetings with Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh and Tribal Affairs Minister Kanti lal Bhuria today triggered speculation that the two leaders may be divested of their ministerial responsibilities and inducted into the party organisation. There is talk that Bhuria may replace Suresh Pachauri as president of the Madhya Pradesh. Pachauri has been eyeing a ministerial berth at the Centre for several months now. Rural Development Minister CP Joshi could also be dropped from the Cabinet and accommodated in the party.

There are three clear vacancies in the Cabinet - DMK leader A.Raja resigned as telecom minister following allegations of corruption in the allotment of the 2G Spectrum, Minister of State for External Affairs Sashi Tharoor put in his papers last year after he was embroiled in the IPL cricket controversy and Prithviraj Chavan, who held four charges, was appointed Maharashtra Chief Minister after the Adarsh housing society scam.

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal was made the Telecom Minister after Raja’s resignation. Besides, he is also holding additional charge of the science and technology minsitry, which was previously with Prithviraj Chavan. Sibal is likely to retain the telecom portfolio but may be asked to let go of one of his other charges. It is learnt that Sibal is keen to keep the HRD portfolio and has conveyed as much to the leadership.

Junior minister Jyothiraditya Scindia is being talked about as Tharoor’s replacement. in the External Affairs Ministry. But with assembly elections in Kerala only a few months away, K Venugopal, belonging to the Nair caste, and a former minister in the state, is also being mentioned for this slot. Junior minister KV Thomas could also get a promotion for the same reason. Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju, who is pushing for a promotion, had a long meeting with Pranab Mukherjee tonight.