M A I N   N E W S

Amid talk of reshuffle, PM calls on Pranab
Congress appears keen on rail portfolio after Trinamool’s exit 
Anita Katyal
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 22
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 45-minute meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday fuelled speculation about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle, which has acquired urgency after the exit of six Trinamool Congress ministers from the UPA government.

No details were available about the meeting. A press statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhawan merely said the two leaders discussed the current political situation.

Road Transport and Highways minister CP Joshi was today given additional charge of the Railway Ministry, held by Trinamool’s Mukul Roy. This is, however, said to be a temporary arrangement. It was imperative to give this charge to somebody as a key infrastructure ministry could not be kept headless.

This portfolio has, so far, been held by UPA allies but the Congress is keen on keeping the ministry as it has been neglected over the past three years for want of effective leadership.

The Prime Minister would like to take this opportunity to get the ministry back in shape. UPA sources said the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle will see the exit of some ministers, induction of young faces and reallocation of portfolios to impart a new look to the government ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

It is becoming increasingly clear that AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi will not be joining the government, as he prefers to focus on organisational affairs. Junior ministers hoping to be elevated along with Rahul’s inclusion in the Cabinet, may be in for a disappointment. However, a couple of junior ministers like Jyotiradiya Scindia and D Purandeswari may still make the cut. Ministers of State Srikant Jena and Harish Rawat are also in line for a promotion.

New young faces could be inducted as junior ministers following the exit of TMC’s five Ministers of State. Madhya Pradesh MP and Rahul’s team member Meenakshi Natarajan is said to be under consideration. Since West Bengal's representation has now been reduced, leaders from the state will have to be accommodated in the new set-up. The names of Adhir Chaudhary and Deepa Dasmunshi are being mentioned as probable contenders.

Actor-turned-politician from Andhra Chiranjeevi, who merged his party Praja Rajyam with Congress last year, is expected to be inducted into Cabinet.

Vilasrao Deshmukh's death and Virbhadra Singh's resignation have left gaps in the Cabinet which need to be filled as their portfolios are currently being held by Vyalar Ravi. Deshmukh's place could be taken by another leader from Maharashtra leader. Vilas Mutthemar and Gurudas Kamat are said to be in the running.

Besides Ravi, several other ministers are handling additional portfolios. Commerce Minister Anand Sharma was given Textiles Ministry following Dayanidhi Maran's exit, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal got additional responsibility of the Telecom Ministry after A Raja's resignation while Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily was recently entrusted with the Power Ministry. 

Makeover time

Road Transport and Highways Minister CP Joshi was on Saturday given additional charge of the Railway Ministry, held by Trinamool’s Mukul Roy. This is, however, said to be a temporary arrangement

The portfolio has, so far, been held by UPA allies but the Congress is keen on keeping the ministry as it has been neglected over the past three years

UPA sources said the Cabinet reshuffle will see the exit of some ministers, induction of young faces and reallocation of portfolios to impart a new look to the government ahead of the 2014 LS polls