PM set to revamp Cabinet

The nitty-gritty of the reshuffle will be discussed after a replacement is found for Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Prithviraj Chavan, among others, are said to be in the reckoning for the coveted post.

With the additional charge of Finance, the Prime Minister is in charge of eight Ministries/ Departments; Information & Broadcasting, Environment & Forests, Coal, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Planning, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space being the others.

According to sources, as Finance Minister, the PM now has to handle “at least three to four boxes” containing over 70 official files. “Unlike many ministries where the minister in charge could afford to just append signature on files, Finance Ministry files need careful perusal. The PM will not have much time left for other responsibilities,” said a Union Minister.

Nevertheless, the PM is keen to retain Finance as a new face cannot be given such a big responsibility in times of global financial crisis, said sources.

While S S Palanimanickam and Pawan Kumar Bansal are two Ministers of State for Finance, the PM could add another MoS or rejig the existing team in the Ministry, said sources. Home Minister P Chidambaram is also likely to revamp his team in the Ministry. “But efforts will be made to make minimal changes and not to disturb the existing set-up in any big way because general elections are just round the corner,” said senior Congress leader.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi is also set to effect a reshuffle in the AICC after December 8 when Assembly election results will be out, said sources.

With the recent sacking of Margaret Alva as AICC General Secretary in charge of six states, her responsibilities were distributed among four senior leaders but that was only a temporary arrangement. Besides, fate of many other senior office-bearers and party leaders is also incumbent on election results.