DMK unrelenting on Raja issue, cabinet reshuffle deferred
DMK unrelenting on Raja issue, cabinet reshuffle deferred
The speculations over a possible relocation of ministerial berths in the union cabinet before the Monsoon session of Parliament have received a major jolt with the key ally DMK telling the Congress that A Raja cannot be sacked.
The Telecom Minister, who was in the eye of a controversy over receiving kickbacks in the allocation of 2G spectrum, was expected to be one of the first to be dethroned. But, it seems that DMK chief M Karunanidhi is in no mood to give up support to Raja.
The southern party is a key ally of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had reportedly met the Kalaignar over offloading the telecom minister.
"The DMK has not agreed to replace Raja. The party has justified his stay as a Dalit leader and has made it clear that it was not ready to compromise," said a senior Congress leader, requesting anonymity.
Sources in the government also confirmed that with only 12 days left for the Parliament session to start, the chances of a reshuffle in the portfolios have waned.
"Although the issue of the cabinet reshuffle is Prime Minister's prerogative, but it seems, it has been deferred for the moment for various reasons," they said.
Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh's reluctance to merge his party with the Congress has also been cite as another reason for putting off the reshuffle.
The Jat leader has five MPs in the Lok Sabha and was expected to get a berth in the union cabinet.
Sources also said that the UPA government wanted to keep one or two seats vacant out of the quota of 81 ministers for "emergency".
"The Prime Minister may make some small adjustments but it is clear that there won't be any major reshuffle. The Congress-led UPA government does not want to take any decision in a hurry. In fact, the Congress was in search of one fresh face only, which can be put on hold for now," sources said.
With no reshuffle on the agenda, Union Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, will have to continue with civil supplies and public distribution portfolio despite his pleas to "ease his pressure".
Though performance was likely to be the criteria for the reshuffle, speculation was rife that Dr Manmohan Singh could allocate cabinet berths to leaders from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in view of the upcoming assembly elections in the two states.
Meanwhile, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa has revived attacks on arch-rival DMK by targeting Raja.
Wait and watch
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar Tuesday said he was "anxiously waiting" for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's response to his request to reduce his burden of ministerial responsibilities. "I am anxiously waiting. Whatever I have to say I have said. It is up to him (the Prime Minister) now," he said when asked whether he received any response from the Prime Minister to his request to lessen his burden. Asked whether he was hopeful, Pawar said: "I am confident". He dismissed a question on whether his MP daughter Supriya Sule would get a ministerial berth. Pawar had met the Prime Minister last week in the wake of his becoming ICC chief and urged him to reduce his ministerial responsibilities, fuelling speculation of a cabinet reshuffle.
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