Dayanidhi Maran desperate to save Textile portfolio,meets PM

New Delhi, Jun 30: It seems that Union Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran is trying his best to save his portfolio when a big threat is mulling over his position. The DMK leader on Thursday, Jun 30 met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Maran's meeting with the PM caught all media attention as the UPA government declared that it will move for a cabinet reshuffle soon. Earlier media reports had claimed that Manmohan Singh is planning to sack Maran who has been accused in the 2G spectrum scam.

According to several media reports, Maran allegedly forced C Sivasankaran, owner of Aircel, to sell the telecom company to Maran's Malaysia-based friend T Ananda Krishnan in 2006. The reports added that Maran, during his tenure as a Communication Minister in UPA I government, issued spectrum licenses to Astro, a sister company of Maxis, soon after it purchased stake in Sun TV, which is owned by Maran's brother Kalanidhi Maran and family.

However, Maran has overruled all allegations against him as he has maintained claiming, "I have never had to force anyone to do business or to sell the business. And moreover, let me tell you, if someone feels forced, they could have always gone to the court."

After a meeting between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, the government sources informed that UPA is all set to go for a cabinet reshuffle.

While Union Home Minister P Chidambaram is likely to get defence portfolio, Union External Minister SM Krishna can be removed from his position. 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.

OneIndia News