Union Cabinet reshuffle to take place on Wednesday

Jan 18, 2011 |

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New Delhi: Moves for a reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers gathered momentum today with Congress President Sonia Gandhi meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh amid indications that the exercise could take place tomorrow by 5 pm.

Gandhi, who was accompanied by her Political Secretary Ahmed Patel, met Singh over two hours and is understood to have given final touches to the exercise which could see some inductions, elevations and drafting some ministers for party work.

Senior leader Pranab Mukherjee also met Gandhi. Sources said that the swearing in ceremony could take place tomorrow.

Significantly, Tribal Affairs Minister Kantilal Bhuria and Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh met Gandhi triggering speculation that they could be asked to work for the party.

MPs Janardhan Dwivedi and Navin Jindal also met her. Broadly, indications were available that the 'big four' incumbents in Finance, Defence, Home and External Affairs portfolios would not be affected in the reshuffle.

There is also speculation that Salman Khurshid and Jairam Ramesh of Congress and Praful Patel of NCP could be elevated to Cabinet rank from the status of MoS Independent charge.

Khurshid, who is now in charge of Corporate Affairs and Minority Affairs, could move to Law Ministry in place Veerappa Moily who could be shifted to Human Resource Development, according to talk in the Congress circles.

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