PM, Sonia discuss cabinet reshuffle

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi held discussions for two hours here on issues including a possible cabinet reshuffle next month, a party leader said today.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi held discussions for two hours here on issues including a possible cabinet reshuffle next month, a party leader said on Tuesday.

HT Image

"It is only the first meeting. They are likely to hold several more discussions before the cabinet restructuring," a party leader said about their Sunday meeting on condition of anonymity.

The two are likely to consider the feedback from government functionaries and party leaders on the performance of ministers in the coming days, sources added.

Current political developments, including those related to the anti-graft Lokpal bill and the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) draft report on alleged lapses linked to gas exploration in the Krishna Godavari basin, were also discussed, they said.

Consultations with the leaders of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) constituent parties have also become necessary as some of the vacant cabinet births belonged to them, said sources.

Consultations with UPA leaders were also lined up, they said.

According to sources, the prime minister and Gandhi were also likely to take a decision soon on appointment of new governors of Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.

"There will be several meetings between the top two (Manmohan Singh and Gandhi). They will interact with other leaders like Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister A.K. Antony to shape the new-look cabinet," a party leader said.

"They are also likely to chalk out the strategy for the monsoon session of parliament beginning Aug 1," he said.