New Delhi:
A major Cabinet reshuffle that is scheduled to take place on Sunday is likely to see the inclusion of several new faces, NDTV has learnt. Ahead of that big reshuffle, five senior ministers have put in their papers. Majority of them said they want to work for the party.
Here are the 10 latest developments on this big story:
Along with the big Cabinet reshuffle, a major organisational revamp in the Congress is also on the cards. Rahul Gandhi is likely to take up a bigger role and could be appointed as the Working President of the party, say sources.
A Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson has confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers is scheduled for 11.30 am tomorrow.
Among the ministers who have resigned ahead of the much-talked about reshuffle, SM Krishna was the first one to put in his papers. After meeting the Prime Minister this morning, the 80-year-old said he was stepping down because "it is time for youngsters to take over."
Commerce Minister Anand Sharma is said to be among the top contenders for the post left vacant by Mr Krishna. HRD and Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal, who was earlier being considered for the post, is now out of the race, sources said. Sources also say that Mr Sibal could let go of the HRD ministry. Union Minister for Law Salman Khurshid may also lose his minority affairs portfolio.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik, Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay and Minister of State Justice and Empowerment Mahadev Khandela also met the PM today and tendered their resignations. Ms Soni confirmed that she has been asked to work for the party. "This will require full time work. It will be an honour," she added.
Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath is likely to get additional charge of Parliamentary Affairs, say sources. Young ministers like Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia might get independent portfolios. They are currently ministers of state.
Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi could also be inducted into the ministry as a reward for his help in ensuring the stability of the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh with the support of his 18 MLAs. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has already nominated Tariq Anwar to the government, in place of Agatha Sangma.
There are six berths vacated by the Trinamool Congress, which walked out of the government after differences over its reforms agenda. Deepa Dasmunshi, wife of Gandhi family loyalist and former minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, could be inducted. Mr Dasmunshi has been in coma for the last few years.
Two cabinet positions of the DMK are also vacant, after A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran quit when they were implicated in the 2G scam. DMK chief M Karunanidhi has so far refused to nominate anyone.
The berth occupied by Vilasrao Deshmukh too will have to be filled, after his death. Maharashtra's Vilasrao Muttemwar is likely to get in.
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