Manmohan Singh to meet President Patil, may discuss cabinet reshuffle

New Delhi, Jan 17 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, is likely to meet President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at around 6 p.m. on Monday to discuss a reshuffle of his Union Council of Ministers.

According to reports, Congress President Sonia Gandhi has already held two rounds of consultations with Dr. Singh over the issue.

The reshuffle could see some Cabinet ministers going to the Congress to oversee party work, while others may see their portfolios change.

While the telecom portfolio is expected to remain with the Congress in view of DMK's poor handling of the charge, it is not clear whether Kapil Sibal would be divested of any portfolio. At present, he has charge of HRD, telecom and science and technology.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia is tipped to be the Minister of State for External Affairs. The post was left vacant after Shashi Tharoor resigned in the wake of the Indian Premier League (IPL) controversy.

Sharad Pawar, who currently holds three portfolios, could be divested of Food and Public Distribution. (ANI)