Unable to bear the growing clout of minister of state (MoS) Shrikant Jena in the ministry, Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers M.K. Alagiri has written to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh requesting him to replace Mr Jena with his confidante D. Napoleon, who is currently MoS in the ministry of social justice and empowerment.
But Dr Singh and the Congress high command are reportedly not in favour of having two people from the same party in one ministry.
Mr Jena refused to comment when asked about the matter.
According to sources, Mr Alagiri had written a communiqué to Dr Singh nearly a month ago seeking a change of deputy. The Madurai strongman has favoured Napoleon, as he is part of the Alagiri camp in the DMK.
Sources also revealed that Mr Jena fell foul of Mr Alagiri as the Madurai strongman felt that he was being ignored by his MoS and was not giving him the importance that was due to a Cabinet minister.
The DMK’s organisational secretary for the southern region reportedly is also upset with his junior for not consulting him on a regular basis over issues pertaining to the ministry.
It is also a known fact that it is only Mr Shrikant Jena who answers all queries related to the ministry in both Houses of Parliament, as Mr Alagiri does not feel comfortable speaking in English.
Mr Alagiri is not conversant in Hindi either. Parliamentary rules stipulate that ministers articulate their views either in English or in Hindi. Only MPs are free to deliver their speech or pose questions in a language of their choice.
Despite the letter having been written sometime back, the PMO and the Congress leadership haven’t acquiesced as they are against the proposal-of having two ministers from the same party in one ministry-in principle, sources said.