Reshuffle futile as tainted ministers retained, eastern India ignored: BJP

The BJP on Sunday made it clear that it was unimpressed with the reshuffle and criticised the Prime Minister for not getting rid of "tainted ministers".

"The reshuffle has been futile. The PM and Congress president have retained tainted ministers like Salman Khurshid. They appear to have found merit in Beni Prasad Verma, who defended Khurshid... He has been retained too. The entire exercise is not going to inspire the confidence of people reeling under corruption and price rise," said BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan.

He also faulted the government for ignoring eastern India's claim in the decision making process. "Battling for the survival of Congress in Andhra Pradesh, the reshuffle has seen induction of new faces from that state and other states where it is facing electoral challenges. But it has ignored eastern India, including Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and the Northeast. There is no Cabinet minister from these states," Pradhan said.

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain lamented ignoring eastern India's claim and criticised the reshuffle for running down senior leaders from the region. "They have not given leaders from eastern India any representation in the Cabinet. The reshuffle has tried to run down leaders from the region by not matching the seniority of leaders like Tariq Anwar with suitable profile," Hussain said.

He made light of ruling establishment's projection of the reshuffle as a facelift by providing young leaders greater role in the government. "The claim of entrusting more responsibility to young blood is a facade," Hussain said.

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