PM to meet Prez, to discuss cabinet reshuffle?

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh isscheduled to call on President Pratibha Patil this eveningamid speculation that a reshuffle of the Union Council ofMinisters is on the cards later this week.

Singh may apprise the President of his intention toexpand his ministry ahead of the Budget session which islikely to start in the third week of February.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had detaileddeliberations with Singh more than twice in the last week,apparently to plan out the exercise, which would be the firstafter the UPA-II came to power in May 2009.

A reconstitution of the AICC Secretariat is also on thecards in which some ministers are expected to be drafted forparty work.

There has been no representation to three states in theUnion ministry -- Chhattisgarh, Goa and Manipur.

The Prime Minister may utilise the opportunity to injectfresh blood by inducting younger faces.

Ministers like Sharad Pawar and Kapil Sibal are holdingmore than one portfolio and are likely to shed some of them.

There are some vacancies including that created by theresignation of A Raja, Prithviraj Chavan and Shashi Tharoor.