UPA hopes for image makeover with Cabinet reshuffle

New Delhi, Jun 28: Even as the present UPA government have had to face multiple challenges in the form of scams and controversies, the UPA top brass are huddled in discussion for a possible Cabinet reshuffle. UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi is currently under talks with Cabinet ministers to discuss plans on the same.

With voices getting louder on Congress' intention of having more young faces in the ministry, the UPA intends to have a major reshuffle with many old faces slated to have a change in portfolios. According to reports, Home Minister P Chidambaram is likely to get the Defence portfolio, while External Affairs Minister SM Krishna is also expected to have a change in ministry.

There are also reports of Jyotiraditya Scindia and Raj Babbar making an entry into the Cabinet. With limitations of coalition politics influencing the allotment of ministries, BK Handique, MS Gill, Kanti Lal Bhuria, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Murli Deora are likely to be removed as ministers. On the Prime Minister's coalition compulsions, a senior Congress functionary has been quoted as saying, “The first being the demanding nature of coalition politics, then there is the problem of finding the right talent to fit into the political dynamics of inner party struggles."

Manmohan Singh adorning a thorn crown will also have to look in to the changed dynamics with the DMK and the Trinammol Congress. With the dismal performance of the DMK in the elections and the super charged-up Trinamool, the number games leverages both parties with their formidable presence with the number of seats. Thereby, the PM will be compelled to concede to the wishes of the DMK and Trinamool.

With the UPA hoping to have an image makeover with the Cabinet rejig, how much they stoop to the demands of the coalitions remain to be seen. Internal power struggles within the Cabinet will also have to be addressed so that the Ministers in the top league like SM Krishna, Pranab Mukherjee, AK Antony and Chidambaram are a satisfied lot.

OneIndia News