Patil, Sayeed surprise entries into Cabinet

Manmohan's ministry sprang a surprise with the last minute entry of Shivraj Patil and P M Sayeed, despite their defeat in the LS polls.

Manmohan Singh ministry sworn in on Saturday sprang a surprise with the last minute entry of two senior Congress leaders into the Cabinet-- Shivraj Patil and P M Sayeed--despite their defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

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In the intense speculation on the ministerial probables, Patil, who is a close associate of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Sayeed, who was Deputy Speaker in the dissolved House, never figured.

The first inkling of luck smiling on Patil, a former Lok Sabha Speaker, and on Sayeed came when they were found sitting on the chairs meant for Cabinet Ministers to be sworn-in.

Patil, who was Deputy leader of the Congress in the 13th Lok Sabha, had a marathon run of seven terms, but this time he was defeated by BJP's Rupa Patil Nilangekar, a political greenhorn and daughter-in-law of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar.

Sayeed, who was seeking a 12th term and would have been the Protem Speaker by virtue of being the seniormost member, lost to a debutant candidate of the JD-U in Lakshwadeep.

Their return to the Cabinet is likely to give a fresh lease of life to their political career.