Savarkar spanner in Cabinet reshuffle

The BJP offensive in Maharashtra apart, the Veer Savarkar controversy has thrown up an unexpected problem for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ...

The BJP offensive in Maharashtra apart, the Veer Savarkar controversy has thrown up an unexpected problem for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh 8212; his Cabinet reshuffle will have to wait lest the move be projected as against Mani Shankar Aiyar.

The reshuffle, tipped for September 5, has now been deferred by at least a week. Aiyar holds two portfolios 8212; Petroleum and Panchayati Raj 8212; and was likely to be divested of the former. With the Savarkar debate in full force, any attempt to take away a portfolio might send a wrong signal to the Congress rank and file; that the minister8217;s wings are being clipped for raking up the issue.

Among those expected to make it to the Cabinet with the reshuffle is TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao. He is expected to land an economic portfolio 8212; the proposal was to give him either Coal or Mines, earlier held by JMM chief Shibu Soren. However, this is easier said than done as Soren will demand both portfolios once he is released.

The Kerala crisis has thrown up another candidate 8212; former CM A.K. Antony. Though Antony is not a member of either House of Parliament, he can be first inducted as a minister and then get elected to the Upper House on lines of Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Power Minister P.M. Sayeed. R.K. Dhawan, a loyalist of the Gandhi family, is also likely to make a comeback.

The Congress is also looking for more presence for UP, where the party is desperately drumming up its support base. Mohsina Kidwai and former minister Satish Sharma are likely to make it from the state. Kidwai was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh but is seen as the party8217;s Muslim face from UP. Her induction would strengthen the party8217;s attempts to woo Muslims.

Andhra Pradesh, with a large chunk of Lok Sabha members, is also under-represented. Though Congress veteran Janardhan Reddy is the most likely choice from the state, other hopefuls cite his age against his case. Another state aspirant is party spokesman Anand Sharma, who argues Himachal Pradesh has not been represented.

Singh has a tough job on his hands. While aspirations in the Congress are on the rise, the reshuffle might trigger demands from allies such as the RJD and NCP. Already, the UPA Government is under pressure from the allies vying for a slot in the Cabinet Committee on Security and more representation in the Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs.