Cabinet reshuffle may take place tomorrow

The much awaited Cabinet reshuffle, referred to in government circles as a "portfolio reallocation", is in all likelihood scheduled for Thursday, according to top sources in the government.

President APJ Abdul Kalam who was out of town is expected to be back tonight and the prime minister has indicated to the top leadership of the Congress party that the reallocation may take place as early as Thursday.

Sources have also indicated that Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee's refusal to take over the foreign minister's post has complicated matters.

"Before leaving for the UK and Finland, the PM thought that he had convinced Mukherjee to accept the foreign minister's post. But Mukherjee has apparently refused," said a top source in the government.

The choice for foreign minister now in fact hangs between Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

"If Shinde takes over as foreign minister, then Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi will take over his ministry. Patil's replacement is however difficult which is why there is still some confusion," the source added.

Shinde is perceived as a 10 Janpath loyalist as well as a team player, a relief when it comes to the normally fraught relationship which had existed between PMO and South Block.

Patil's candidature is being pushed by many in the Congress and government as they feel that his perception as a soft minister for internal security will harm the party's image. Even Sonia Gandhi, normally partial to Patil, was upset with him after the Malegaon blasts.

The PM appears keen to wind up the reallocation of portfolio's before the Diwali weekend. It remains to be seen who wins the foreign ministry jackpot.