Reshuffle buzz in Capital air

Adding to speculation, Sonia’s trip to Rae Bareli, scheduled for June 8-9, has been postponed. After that, she is going to Russia for a week.

Congress circles were abuzz today with the possibility that Ghulam Nabi Azad might take over as Home Minister from Shivraj Patil.

The idea doing the rounds is that Azad would have to be ‘‘compensated’’ for not going to J-K as CM. Though no decision has been taken, there is a growing feeling in the party that it would be difficult to replace Mufti Mohammed Sayeed with a Congress CM, given the crucial stage of the peace process with Pakistan.

Mufti is supposed to step down at the end of the year, as part of the agreement between the two parties, but the Congress had made way for him three years ago in the larger interest of evolving a Kashmir solution.

While one section in the Congress is talking about ‘‘compensation’’ for Azad, others argue that there is no need for this as he was not really interested in being CM.

Power Minister P.M. Sayeed and Sis Ram Ola could also be on their way out. Sayeed is supposed to be ‘‘clueless’’ about his ministry, having left everything to the Power Secretary. Ola has not performed well and the general feeling is that there is little point in giving ministerial berths to two Jats from Rajasthan — the other being Natwar Singh, who is not likely to be moved.

Those tipped for an entry include AICC general secretary Ambika Soni, but much will depend on whether Sonia decides to relieve her from party work. Soni had turned down the offer of a berth when the Cabinet was formed so that she could support Sonia in party work.

Others who may be considered for inclusion are Vayalar Ravi — Kerala is unrepresented in the ministry — and Dilip Ray from Orissa, for the same reason. G.K. Vasan may also find a berth, say sources, because he commands the support of the party in Tamil Nadu, which the other three ministers from Tamil Nadu do not.

Yet another person tipped to be inducted is Satish Sharma, though contrary to expectations, he may not be given the Petroleum ministry. JMM leader Shibu Soren’s comeback is also a reason for Cabinet expansion. When Soren quit as Jharkhand

CM, he was reportedly given to understand that he would be accommodated in the Union ministry. The Sports ministry will need another incumbent after Sunil Dutt’s death. And those with twin portfolios like Mani Shankar Aiyar — though he has done well in both Petroleum and Panchayati Raj — and Kamal Nath may have to give up one.