New Delhi, April 19: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to expand and make changes in his council of ministers as the UPA-2 government completes a year on May 22. This has become even more important with Mr Shashi Tharoor’s exit from the government on Sunday night, leaving a ministership of state vacant in a major department.

A race is already on to fill that post. Some AICC leaders, including spokerspersons and those waiting in the wings for an entry into the government have begun lobbying hard.
Sources said the expansion/reshuffle has been on the cards for some time, but the government is likely to go ahead only after the ongoing Budget Session is over on May 7. An opportune time could be around May 22, the UPA-2’s first anniversary.
Minister of state for railways E. Ahamed, who had earlier served as MoS external affairs during UPA-1 with charge of the Gulf, Haj affairs and Africa, is keen to get Mr Tharoor’s job, the sources said.
Another vacant slot is the culture portfolio, which is currently held by the Prime Minister.
Commerce minister Anand Sharma and minister of state for environment (independent charge) Jairam Ramesh are also awaiting renomination to the Rajya Sabha, as is information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni. While Ms Soni’s renomination from Punjab looks assured, and that of Mr Ramesh from Andhra Pradesh, Mr Sharma’s fate appears less certain. There is speculation that he could be fielded from Rasjasthan or Haryana. Mr Sharma’s Rajya Sabha term ended on April 2, while Mr Ramesh’s will be over on June 21.
It might be recalled that the Prime Minister had said earlier that he would go by the performance of his ministerial colleagues when considering changes in portfolios or promotions.
Minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers Srikant Jena, who has been unhappy from the outset about his failure to get a Cabinet berth, is again lobbying for a promotion.
There is also talk of some of Mr Prithviraj Chavan’s responsibilities being reduced. The minister of state (independent charge) in the PMO also holds additional charge of quite a few portfolios, including science and technology; earth sciences; personnel, public grievances and pensions; as well as parliamentary affairs. In the aftermath of the flak it faced over the handling of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament, the government is believed to be taking a hard look at the running of the parliamentary affairs ministry.

Sanjay Basak