Manmohan Singh discusses Cabinet reshuffle with Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, Jan 18 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Tuesday met Congress President Sonia Gandhi amid speculation that a reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers is on the cards later this week.

Gandhi met Dr. Singh at his 7 Race Course residence. She was accompanied by her political secretary Ahmed Patel.

The meeting comes a day after Dr. Singh met President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

Though it was described as a routine meeting, there are indications that Dr. Singh may reshuffle his UPA Ministers later this week

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 Congress in view of DMK's handling of the charge pushing the government towards a virtual crisis, it is not clear that Kapil Sibal would be divested of any portfolio. 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)