Congress scion Rahul Gandhi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his 7, Race Course Road residence today, amid the buzz of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle, This has re-ignited speculation about Gandhi joining the Cabinet. It is well known that the Prime Minister is keen on Gandhi joining the Cabinet, having publicly said so on several occasions. Gandhi’s meeting comes within 24 hours of Sonia Gandhi and the PM meeting President Pranab Mukherjee.
Sources confirmed that Gandhi had nearly an hour long meeting with the Prime Minister today. However, it was unclear whether Rahul Gandhi himself will be joining the Cabinet or was being consulted on younger faces and Gen- Next to be included in the Cabinet.
While the PM was eager to have a new look Cabinet, sources indicate that young MPs close to Rahul Gandhi like Meenakshi Natarajan who is very active in the Youth Congress affairs, could get a ministerial berth.
Prior to this in July, Rahul Gandhi himself had said that he was willing to take a “bigger role” but whether in the government taking on a cabinet portfolio or in the party was not clear. Party sources added that he was already taking a bigger role in the organization and his joining the Cabinet was unlikely.
The inauspicious period as per the Hindu almanac having concluded, the timing is just right, for something as crucial as the Cabinet reshuffle.
Several berths have been left vacant post the Trinamool Congress exit from the UPA.
Crucial portfolios such as Railways are now as additional charge with CP Joshi, minister of Road Transport and Highways. This could be reallocated as is the case with the Power ministry, which is with additional charge of Veerappa Moily.
