Cabinet reshuffle today, Trivedi may take charge of railways

A reshuffle in the Union Council of Ministers is scheduled tomorrow evening at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The swearing-in has been fixed for 5 pm.

Trinamool Congress’ Dinesh Trivedi is likely to get the railways portfolio. The portfolios of a number of ministers are likely to be changed, including civil aviation, currently with Vayalar Ravi, and law, which is with Veerappa Moily.

Minister Beni Prasad Verma from Uttar Pradesh is likely to be promoted to the Cabinet rank and another member of Parliament, possibly Raj Babbar, inducted. Uttar Pradesh goes to the polls next year.

Since Punjab is also gearing up for elections, Ravneet Singh Bittoo, grandson of late chief minister Beant Singh, may become a minister. B K Handique (mines) may be replaced by colleague Bhubaneswar Kalita and Kantilal Bhuria (tribal affairs) by Charan Das Mahant from Chhattisgarh.

Sources, however, say all the portfolios may not be announced tomorrow. As Congress President and chairman of the ruling United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi is going abroad tonight, she will not be present at the reshuffle tomorrow.