New Delhi, Sept, 6: Speculation about AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi joining the Cabinet became rife after Prime Minister Manmnohan Singh’s clear indication to reshuffle his Cabinet before the Winter Session of the Parliament. He also said he wanted to reduce the average age of his Cabinet.
The Prime Minister spoke about reshuffle of his Cabinet perhaps for the first time after 16 months.
During his interaction with a group of editors, the Prime Minister indicated that he would consider a Cabinet reshuffle before the next session of Parliament due to commence on November 7. “I would like to reduce the average age of my Cabinet," Dr Singh said.
“This is significant,” viewed Congress insiders.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has been wanting the young Gandhi to join the Cabinet in the UPA II, but he refused on the pretext that his priority is the organisation and not the government. If he sticks to his stand, then he would stay away from the Cabinet till the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls scheduled in 2012.
But the Prime Minister’s remarks to reduce the average age of his Cabinet have enthused young MPs who are optimistic that they would be rewarded either with a Cabinet berth or would be promoted as a Cabinet rank minister on the basis of their performance in Parliament.
But the remarks could made “seniors” on the tenterhooks. Their number in the Cabinet is about 20. The Prime Minister may not touch ministers of the Congress allies like the DMK, Trinamul Congress, NCP and the National Conference, unless they are found involved in corruption cases or illegal activities.
But he would certainly evaluate senior Congress ministers who are above 60.
A picture about the reshuffle would become clear once Mrs Gandhi reshuffles her team in the AICC. This is because a number of ministers are holding organisational responsibilities since May 2009.
During the interaction, a questioner suggested that he (PM) gave “an impression of marking time with the issue of succession in your party” while Mr Rahul Gandhi was “spreading wings” and that he may not complete his tenure.
Dr Singh responded with a chuckle, “I think politics is a competitive game and some people or politicians feel that they should not be in the Opposition but they should be in the place where I am sitting. I don’t think you can hold that against me.”