Cabinet reshuffle on Sunday, will Rahul Gandhi be inducted?

The Union Council of Ministers is likely to undergo a substantive reshuffle which could see the possible induction of Rahul Gandhi into the Cabinet along with some other new faces and the exit of a few ministers.

The changes, expected to take place on Sunday, could also witness ministers holding more than one portfolio shed their extra responsibilities, according to political sources.

It is no no secret that Prime Minister Manmohan Singhis keen to have Rahul Gandhi inducted into his Cabinet but sofar the young MP was not not inclined as he was focused on building the Congress organisation, especially the youth wing.

Another proposal making the rounds is that Gandhi may be elevated from being a General Secretary to the revived post of Working President.

Road and Transport Minister C P Joshi may shed his additional responsibility of Railways while External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's continuance is a subject of considerable speculation amidst indication that he may be shifted to Karnataka where Assembly polls are due before next May.

Gandhi may have indicated to the prime minister when he met him on Oct 17 that he is willing to join the Cabinet and take a portfolio like Rural Development that touches the lives of people ahead of the 2014 elections.

The Congress is said to be working on more measures to reach the 'aam aadmi' (common man) on the lines of the NREG scheme which had paid rich dividends to the party in the last elections.

A number of names is being considered for External Affairs portfolio which includes Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Salman Khurshid, who have not not have exactly helped his case by his handling of the issue of allegations against the trust run by him and his wife.

Younger ministers like Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia are likely to be promoted and may get independent portfolios.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Amid uproar over scams, govt takes up food bill in Lok Sabha

BJP sharpens attack on Cong, says it has turned into a party of the corrupt

India, China agree to restore status quo along LAC

Vigilance Commission to investigate spurious drug scam: Omar Abdullah