Cabinet reshuffle expected in next 24 hours

NEW DELHI - A reshuffle of the Union Cabinet is expected in the next 24 hours, according to informed sources.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, met Congress president Sonia Gandhi this morning and is expected to meet her for a second time today to finalise the list of people likely to be included in the Union Cabinet.

Indications are that changes in the government are likely to be restricted to filling up of three Cabinet berths besides minor reshuffle in four-five ministries.

Two of the vacancies were caused by the controversial exits of A Raja and Shashi Tharoor while the third was caused due to the coronation of Prithviraj Chavan as Maharashtra Chief Minister.

Dr. Singh met President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Monday evening.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has already held two rounds of consultations with Dr. Singh over the issue.

The reshuffle could see some Cabinet ministers going to the Congress to oversee party work, while others may see their portfolios change.

While the telecom portfolio is expected to remain with Congress in view of DMK”s handling of the charge pushing the government towards a virtual crisis, it is not clear that Kapil Sibal would be divested of any portfolio. He has charge of HRD, telecom and science and technology.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia is tipped to be the Minister of State for External Affairs. The post was left vacant after Shashi Tharoor resigned in the wake of the Indian Premier League (IPL) controversy.

Sharad Pawar, who currently holds three portfolios, could be divested of Food and Public Distribution. (ANI)