Rahul Gandhi in government is 'necessary', says SM Krishna

New Delhi, Jun 27: Amid expectations of a Cabinet reshuffle, External Affairs Minister

today strongly pitched for

's entry into the government, saying it was "necessary" to help in solving the problems faced by the country.

Krishna noted that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had already asked Rahul Gandhi to join the government and his "invitation" stands.

"We have always wanted Rahul Gandhi's involvement in the government. The Prime Minister's invitation is there to join the government but he himself seems to be not inclined at the moment," the Minister said at an interaction with journalists here.

He was asked whether he thought Mr Rahul, 42, should be made a minister after Pranab Mukherjee resigned to contest the Presidential poll.

"I am one of those who feel that it is necessary for Rahul Gandhi to come into the government and help the government in solving the problems that we face as a country," Krishna said.

Mukherjee, the government's trouble-shooter, quit as Finance Minister yesterday, ahead of filing of his nomination papers tomorrow for the Jul 19 Presidential poll.

Virbhadra Singh also resigned yesterday as Micro, Small and Medium Industries (MSM) Minister in the wake of framing of corruption charges against him by a Himachal Pradesh court.

This has led to expectations of a reshuffle of the Cabinet.

For the time being, the Prime Minister is handling the Finance portfolio given additional charge of MSM portfolio to Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

PTI