Swaraj retains all ministers except one of Verma’s Cabinet

Besides Sahib Singh, BJP president Kushabhau Thakre, party vice-president KL Sharma, and BJP Delhi unit president Mange Ram Garg were present at the swearing-in ceremony.

The new cabinet held its first meeting later in the evening. The meeting was a hurried affair since Swaraj had to attend the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for the prime minister of Mauritius.

The discussion apparently was just a “get together” and no portfolios were announced today. “We have two new people on our team, the chief minister and another minister,” explained Poornima Sethi.“We had sweets on the occasion and discussed certain important issues like onions. Portfolios are not a priority since we are all part of the same party, unlike the coalition at the Centre. As a team, our priority is completely issue-based.”

Earlier in the day, Swaraj explained that his induction was to maintain balanced representation from all constituencies. “Devender Singh has been brought in to compensate for the outer Delhi representation which fell vacant after Verma’s resignation,” she told The Indian Express

. “If Gupta had been retained, there would have five persons, including me, from south Delhi in the cabinet.”

Gupta’s departure is, however, seen as an indication of Verma’s big say in the goings-on in Delhi politics. That Devender Singh is Verma’s protege, is also a Jat and represents Nangloi in the outer Delhi parliamentary constituency is a coincidence, point out sources.

The sources also say that Gupta’s working relationship with Verma had soured to such a extent in the pastfew months that the latter had nearly forced him to resign over the Blueline bus issue.

Besides, Verma had attempted a cabinet expansion on several occasions during his tenure. He wanted to bring in Devender Singh, but failed. “Today’s change was not just an opportunity to appease Jat sentiments but also a fulfillment of Verma’s ambition,” said a senior BJP leader.

Asked whether he was consulted by Chief Minister Sushma Swaraj on the ministry formation, Verma replied in the affirmative. He, however, added that as chief minister it was her prerogative to have a ministry of her choice.

Gupta, who was in charge of the transport and excise departments in the previous cabinet, was, nevertheless, conspicuous by his presence at the swearing-in ceremony.

When he spoke to reporters, he sounded dejected. But he quickly pointed out that he would abide by the high command’s decision. “I have no regrets, and I am proud of my achievements in the past two years. I took several steps to improve Delhi’s transportsystem. The results are obvious,” he said.

Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, the new cabinet left for the BJP’s Delhi unit headquarters at 14, Pant Marg. They were to assemble for their first cabinet meeting at Old Secretariat later in the evening.

Gupta followed them out, but in his personal car. At the Old Secretariat, attendants had already replaced his nameplate with that of Devender Singh’s. A new group of personal staff had also settled themselves in the office once occupied by Gupta’s men.

Despite Devender Singh occupying Gupta’s room, there is no official word on whether he will be taking charge of the transport and excise departments. Sources said that Harsharan Singh Balli, industry minister in the Verma Cabinet, might take over the transport ministry.

More than 50 relatives and supporters of Devender Singh were waiting inside his new office. One of them said: “It’s a big day for him, and also for us. We want to see him sitting on the chair for the first time as aminister.”