Pranab may trade places with Patil

The re-appearance of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren in the Capital has sent signals that the former coal minister will be re-inducted into the Union Cabinet.

According to government sources, Soren met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a view to getting his Cabinet berth back, early last week.

The Prime Minister is understood to have assured him of a return ticket, and suggested that a Cabinet reshuffle was to take place on September 19. According to sources, Soren refused to be sworn in on Sunday, as it was considered "inauspicious" for him.

"The Prime Minister has indicated that the reshuffle will now be held on September 28, after he returns from the US," said a senior minister.

The reshuffle, is set to be more than a re-induction for Soren. According to top government sources, Home Minister Shivraj Patil will be trading places with Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, as the former's performance has not been up to scratch especially the census data release and the mishandling of the Manipur situation.

Telegana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrashekhara Rao will be allocated some portfolio as well. The smart money seems to be on the industry ministry. Others set to be included in the Cabinet include Republican Party of India (RPI) head Ramdas Athawale.

His will be a surprise induction since he is the lone MP from his party and has actually diminished in strength in his home state of Maharashtra.

He is being inducted to gain tactical advantage during the Maharashtra polls, and to tide over any disappointment in poll adjustments.

Other favourites for a Cabinet berth include Rajya Sabha MP from Uttaranchal Captain Satish Sharma and Gandhi family loyalist RK Dhawan. Sharma whose heart is set on the petroleum portfolio, is not likely to land it, since Manmohan Singh has his own problems with it.

According to sources, the Prime Minister is unhappy with the performance of Power Minister PM Sayyed, but due to his closeness to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, he is not likely to be touched.

The reshuffle has been delayed thrice already, due to various reasons. But with Chandrasehekhara Rao getting impatient and Soren eager to get back his ministerial birth after getting over his legal wrangle, the September 28 date seems to be a surety.