Cabinet reshuffle on cards in June

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may go in for a major Cabinet reshuffle in June, based on the performances of his ministers.

According to highly-placed sources in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), a reshuffle was on the cards ever since the fall of the Shibu Soren government in Jharkhand.

However, contradictory affidavits filed in the Supreme Court in the matter of former defence minister George Fernandes and the sudden demise of sports minister Sunil Dutt have given fresh impetus to the Cabinet expansion plan.

While there are indications that the portfolio of defence minister Pranab Mukherjee may be changed, the ministers holding additional charges may be asked to lessen the burden, sources in Congress said.

In the case of Mr Mukherjee, the filing of an affidavit in the apex court which gave Mr Fernandes a clean chit and landed the government in a spot, is being cited as the main reason for a change in portfolio. Former Kerala chief minister AK Antony, who has entered the Rajya Sabha, may get defence.

Rail Minister Lalu Prasad too may have to pay for charges against him in the fodder scam besides the sudden turn of events in Bihar. He may be shifted to a lighter Ministry.

JMM chief Shibu Soren, who had been unsuccessful in retaining power in Jharkhand, may be reinducted into the Cabinet.

Similarly, petroleum and panchayati raj minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and steel and fertilisers minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who have been holding dual charges, may be divested of one portfolio.

Some new faces, including Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot, may also find berths in the Cabinet.