As expected, the Union Cabinet reshuffle was today dubbed as "lacklustre" and a "face saving" exercise by the opposition with the BJP claiming it will not do any good to the country or improve the Congress' image.

The UPA's former ally Trinamool Congress, which pulled out of Manmohan Singh government last month, had a different take, saying the three Congress leaders chosen as ministers of state from West Bengal were there only to 'needle' the party. It also said West Bengal was deprived of adequate ministerial representation.

BJP's ally Akali Dal said it is the "same old wine in new bottle".

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said, "This reshuffle was lacklustre. It will not do any good to the country or even to the Congress party. It was expected that young blood will be given more representation in the Cabinet but this has not been done.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has only given the young leaders Minister of State status. The average age of the Cabinet has not come down much though it was being talked about," he said.