Image problems

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It is now established that in keeping with the prime minister's style of functioning, the last expansion of the council of ministers had everyone guessing right up to the last minute. Among the more unexpected appointments was that of the controversial Jagat Prakash Nadda as minister for health and family planning, replacing Harsh Vardhan, who was shifted to the ministry of science and technology. That neither politician expected this was evident when Nadda took charge at the health ministry the next day. Huge LCD screens all over the premises were seen displaying images of Harsh Vardhan that no one had had time to take down. Indeed, the overt image-building by the previous incumbent, who is said to harbour chief ministerial ambitions for Delhi, could partly explain why he was sent to a less important ministry.