Reshuffle buzz as PM meets Prez

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today met President Pratibha Patil, amid speculation of a reshuffle of the Union council of ministers.

While there have been periodic reports of a reshuffle, the present round may be impossible to put off. Top government sources conceded the January 17-21 week was “the only window of opportunity for the government to reshuffle its ministers ahead of the budget”. Between January 24 and 29, the government will be busy with the Republic Day and Beating Retreat ceremonies and then with preparations for the budget.

Although it is not necessary for the PM to meet the President to consult about a reshuffle, it is possible he may have intimated his plans during today’s meeting.

Quiet meetings have taken place between party managers, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the PM. This reshuffle will be the first since the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition was returned to power in May 2009.

There are a number of vacancies in the organisation. Defence minister A K Antony, health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan are holding posts in the party as well as the government. With Chavan’s move to Mumbai, there is no general secretary in charge of the sensitive state of Jammu and Kashmir, where the party is in government with the National Conference. Chhattisgarh, Goa and Manipur find no representation in the council of ministers. Sharad Pawar and Kapil Sibal are holding more than one ministerial portfolio. The vacancies include those created by the resignation of A Raja (telecommunications), Chavan (Prime Minister’s Office) and Shashi Tharoor (external affairs).

The allies claim they must be accommodated. The Trinamool Congress says it is entitled to one more minister of state. The Rashtriya Lok Dal has joined the coalition but has not been given a ministership.