Ex-CM Gaur loses out after Cabinet reshuffle in MP

The move to give Gaud a ministerial berth is being seen as an effort to cut to size Kailash Vijayvargiya, a Cabinet Minister from Indore, whose recent claim to fame was the controversy over Crezendo condoms. Though tainted by corruption charges, Vijayvargiya8217;s leadership remains unchallenged in the region. He also retains the PWD and IT departments. He skipped the swearing-in ceremony saying he had a prior appointment.

Goud has often been accused of fomenting communal trouble, but has somehow managed to be on the right side of the law. 8220;His role is always suspect but he manages to remain behind the scene,8221; a senior police officer remarked. Once identified for his proximity with Uma Bharati, he had resigned from a government department saying it was not doing enough for cows.

Another senior leader whose wings have been clipped is Babulal Gaur. The septuagenarian MLA was the state8217;s chief minister till November 2005. He was demoted as minister when Shivraj Singh Chouhan replaced him, but held important portfolios like commerce and Gas Tragedy Relief and rehabilitation. When portfolios were allotted on Sunday, he was left with only Commercial Tax and Public Enterprise, two not so significant departments. Gaur said he was prepared to accept what fate had in store for him.

Commerce and Industry has been allotted to Jayant Malaiyya, one of the few ministers whose stature has increased. Dr Gaurishankar Shejwar, who returned to the BJP recently, has been rewarded with energy, medical education and bio-diversity and bio-technology. A confidant of Uma Bharati not so long ago, he claimed his heart was always with the BJP.

Narottam Mishra, who was education minister till Sunday, has been entrusted with civic administration. Harendrajit Singh 8216;Babbu8217;, probably the only victim of 1984 anti-Sikh riots to be inducted into ministry anywhere in the country, has been given the charge of commercial taxes, farmers8217; welfare and agriculture development.