Cabinet Reshuffle: Lobbying On For Plum Positions

THE UNION Cabinet is planning a major reshuffle, and expansion after the visit of US President Bill Clinton. Positioning for the change of portfolios and lobbying for elevation have already begun among ministers and ministerial hopefuls.

According to sources, the Prime Minister is considering dropping of some of the ministers whose performance has not been 'up to the mark' besides adding new faces. He is said to have already hinted this and this has created panic among ministers. The PMO has begun the assesment already.

Vacancies arising out of the resignations of Nitish Kumar, Uma Bharti and Naveen Patnaik would be filled up besides he may reward those ministers who have done well, the sources said.

 

Meanwhile, speculation is rife. From the BJP, Sushma Swaraj is tipped to get a Cabinet berth. She may get a plum portfolio. Sushma has the backing of Home Minister L. K. Advani as well as the new RSS chief Sudarshan.

Then, there is Rajashekara Murthy, a senior leader from Karnataka, who may also be taken in the Cabinet. He was earlier in the Congress. He has been a Minister both in State as well as the Centre. Mr S. S. Ahluwalia, who has been rewarded with a Rajya Sabha berth, is also a hopeful Film star Shatrugan Sinha has even hinted in a talk show that he may soon become a minister.

From Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Vikram Verma is being tipped to replace Ms. Uma Bharti. The Prime Minister may also decide not to take anyone from Madhya Pradesh as the place is already over represented. Supporters of ministers like Sumitra Mahajan hope she will be rewarded with independent charge of Women.

Since it is a coalition government, the choice as regards the allies would be left with their respective leaders. However, if Mr. Vajpayee is not happy with the performance of any of their members, they may be asked to give a new name, the sources said.

Nothing is yet decided on whether Samata Party leader Nitish Kumar would come back to the Central politics. The Prime Minister is said to have already sounded him about his plans. Nitish is still an MP and, therefore, could be inducted in the Cabinet still. If he decides to stick to the State politics, and Samata insists on a Cabinet berth, Dig Vijay , who is currently the Minister of State for Rlys, may be elevated.

BJD leader Naveen Patnaik is keen to retain his Steel portfolio for his party. It is expected that Coal Minister Dilip Ray may also be elevated. There is already tremendous lobbying for the Coal Ministry, which would fall vacant if Dilip Ray moves to the Steel. Mines and Minerals Minster Rita Verma of the BJP is staking her claim while another senior member of the Trinamool Congress Ajit Panja is also eyeing it. Mr. Panja is currently a Minister of State in External Affairs, which is not befitting his seniority.

Sharad Yadav may be moved to Agriculture. Change of portfolio for Health Minister Shanmugam is also on cards.