Political parties not impressed by rejig

The Union Cabinet reshuffle was on Sunday dubbed as "lacklustre" and a "face-saving" exercise by the opposition, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claiming it would not do any good to the country or improve the Congress' image.

The United Progressive Alliance's (UPA’s) former ally, Trinamool Congress, which pulled out of the Manmohan Singh government last month, had a different take, saying the three Congress leaders chosen as ministers of state from West Bengal were there only to “needle” the party. It also said West Bengal was deprived of adequate ministerial representation. Dismissing the reshuffle as a "face saving" exercise, BJP ally Akali Dal said it was the "same old wine in new bottle".

"This reshuffle was lacklustre. It will not do any good to the country or even to the Congress party. It was expected that young blood will be given more representation in the Cabinet but this has not been done," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said in New Delhi. Hussain said the few young leaders who took oath of office have not been given a Cabinet berth The Samajwadi Party said those facing corruption charges had been inducted into the Union Council of Ministers.

"The UPA government stands exposed after the expansion," SP General-Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said.