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Sun, 28 October 2012
Change in portfolio for 2 ministers of state

Timeline  Refresh

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21:59   Backward classes in AP got raw deal in Cabinet rejig: Naidu

Backward classes in Andhra Pradesh have got a raw deal in today's expansion of Union Council of Ministers, Telugu Desam Chief N Chandrababu Naidu said.    

 

"Backward classes are in large numbers in Andhra Pradesh. They (Centre) gave berth to only one backward class woman. Backward classes should have been given three or four berths. TDP has announced that it will give 100 seats to backward classes in assembly elections," he said during his ongoing 'padayatra' in Mahabubnagar district.    

 

Naidu said his party would leave no stone unturned to turn agriculture into a profitable profession for farmers by getting them a satisfactory price for their produce.

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21:06   Jitin Prasada loses defence portfolio, Jitendra Singh gets it
Two ministers of state have had their portfolios changed.

Jitendra Singh, who was allocated the portfolio of minister of state with independent charge of the ministry of youth affairs and sports, will also be MoS in the ministry of defence.

Jitin Prasada, minister of state in the ministry of defence and human resource development, has the defence portfolio taken away and will only be MoS for defence.
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21:05   Corrupt people inducted into Cabinet: SP

Samajwadi Party today said those facing corruption charges have been inducted into the Union Council of Ministers.         

 

"The UPA government stands exposed after the expansion," SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said while reacting to the ministerial rejig at the Centre.         

 

Speaking to reporters at Bareily, Yadav said those involved in illegal activities and corrupt practices had no place in the party and strict action would be taken against such persons.        

 

"Such people are being identified and disciplinary action has been initiated against them," he said.

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19:28   Remember Manish Tewari's Anna rant?
Here's why Manish Tewari promised not to be mercurial...  In August 2011, when Anna Hazare went on fast for the Lokpal Bill, Manish Tewari, the Congress spokesperson, accused Hazare of being "steeped in corruption from head to toe", A few days later he was forced to express regret over his utterances and appealed to the activist to end his 10-day fast. "I know some of my recent utterances have hurt Mr Hazare. I regret the same and I would like to appeal to him as a citizen of this country to end his fast," Tewari had said. 
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19:24   Best of luck for the tough days ahead, Lalu tells ministers
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad wished the new ministers good luck for the tough days ahead. "They must have taken the decision after due deliberations. I hope that during tough days ahead, they would perform well. I wish them luck,' said Lalu said in Patna.
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19:21   Manish Tewari promises to keep temper in check
Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari today made it clear that he has no intention of any governmental regulation of media and maintained that "self regulation is the best regulation".

"No single individual can change the language of national discourse. I am under no illusion that I alone will be able to change the nature of national discourse. "All stakeholders will have to take steps to move up to that trajectory," Tewari said when asked about the criticism of "bad press" being faced by the UPA-II and his plan of action to change it.

Vehemently denying any plan to curb media, Tewari, who is also the spokesperson of Congress, said, "I believe self regulation is the best regulation."

To a question as to how smooth he foresees his stint at I&B Minister, he said, "That will depend on how much cooperation I get from the media as I have got as a spokesperson of Congress." He also added in a lighter vein that he will try not to be mercurial.

After his appointment as the Union Minister, Tewari came to the Congress headquarters and met senior leaders including AICC general secretary and media department in-charge Janardan Dwivedi. #cabinetreshuffle
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19:15  
And finally, MoS HRD, Shashi Tharoor's first tweet since his induction --

@ShashiTharoor: Thanks to all for your kind words of  support & congratulation.Your encouragement strengthens me all the more in my determination to do my best.
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19:12   India's government: Rejigged again
Here's the Economist on the Cabinet reshuffle. Read
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19:09  
The ministry of external affairs has already updated its content. Salman Khurshid's rather dapper picture and a detailed profile on the man is up for view. See

The 'well-travelled' (that's what the site says) is related to former President Dr Zakir Hussain. He has been educated at Delhi's prestigious St Stephen's College and at the Oxford University. 
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19:01   Adhir not worthy enough to challenge Mamata: TMC
Reacting to MoS Railways Adhir Chowdhury's challenge to Mamata Banerjee (see our 18: 35 pm post) to bring a no-confidence motion against the UPA government, TMC leader Saugata Roy said, "Let me say Adhir Chowdhury is not a leader worthy enough to challenge Mamata Banerjee."
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18:56   Bansal looks forward to playing doctor to railways
New Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today said his priority will be to improve the financial health of the national transporter and make it a preferred mode of journey in the country.

"My priority is to improve the health of the ministry both physical and financial," Bansal said here after being given the responsibility of crucial infrastructure ministry.

Asked whether he will go in for a fare hike, Bansal said the task of improving the financial health is a larger exercise. "It has to be a larger exercise. It does not have to confine to just increasing fares or freight...That is not the only factor on what the physical or financial health will depend upon," he said. 
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18:47   MoS Sachin Pilot is the man Gadkari should fear
Newly appointed Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot today said that all investigations related to companies in India will be conducted in a "transparent" manner and without any bias.

"Laws are already in place and the investigations, whatever under the ministry, will be done in a transparent fashion with no biases and full sincerity," Pilot said urs after being shown as Minister Of State (Independent charge) for Corporate Affairs.

He said the ministry will be open to discussions with the corporate world, individuals and all other stakeholders. "We will find the best way in moving ahead," Pilot said. The MCA acts as the nodal ministry for bodies like Registrars of Companies, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and Competition Commission of India (CCI), which are mandate to regulate entire corporate sectors.

The ministry recently launched a probe to trace the source of funding for Maharashtra-based Purti Power and Sugar Ltd (PPSL), run by BJP President Nitin Gadkari's firm.
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18:35   Mamata was a FAILURE as rail minister: Adhir
And the fisticuffs begin... Shortly after he took oath as a Union Minister of State, Congress MP Adhir Chowdhury today fired a salvo at Mamata Banerjee, challenging her to bring a no-confidence motion against the central government.

"The winter session of Parliament is commencing from November 22. I will tell Mamata Banerjee that If she has guts, let her party bring a no-confidence motion in the House and see which party stands here. Congress is not afraid to face the election," Chowdhury said.

With no love lost between him and Mamata, Chowdhury, who is MoS Railways, quoting the Prime Minister said that elections would be held in due course as the mandate of the people was that UPA should complete its full five-year term.

Chowdhury, who singled out Mamata for criticism as a former Railway minister, said, "It will take a number of railway budgets to implement the series of announcements made by her during her tenure in the Railway ministry. "Everything was on paper. She has announced projects without making adequate monetary provisions. She was a failure as a railway minister," Chowdhury claimed.
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18:30   I'm grateful to be back: Tharoor
Statements coming in from the new cabinet.

Shashi Tharoor, who has made a come back in the Union Ministry as Minister of State for HRD, today expressed his eagerness to make a significant contribution in the key department. Tharoor had to quit as MoS External Affairs in April 2010 in the wake of allegations of wrongdoing in buying stakes in an IPL team.

He said "We have 545 million under the age of 25. We have got to give them a future and clearly the ministry has a lot to do with that. Even if the time span of this parliament is only a year and half, we are very confident we can make a
significant contribution during the time."

On becoming a minister again, he said "I am very grateful to be part of the team. I am grateful for the confidence that has been placed on me. I came back to India after a long time away in order to take contribution to our country."
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18:23   Khurshid becomes 1st, only minister to take charge
Asked if his appointment despite the controversy surrounding him over charges of financial bungling by a trust run by him and his wife was a clear indication of the confidence he enjoyed of the government and the party, Khurshid said, "It is for others to judge" and added that one cannot "surrender" before those who just make allegations.

On his priorities in the new ministry, he said the "world has changed a lot since I was last in MEA. Dramatic changes have taken place and foreign affairs has shifted greatly towards economic and security issues. Khurshid was Minister of the State in the MEA from 1993 to 1996.

Cross Border terrorism has changed in truly intricate ways and world has become a village. Our international profile has changed, engagement with word has changed many dimensions."

The Minister was briefed for nearly an hour by the MEA officials, including Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai on the meetings scheduled for next couple of days that include parleys with former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khalida Zia and conference of Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) to be attended by 10 Foreign Ministers. 
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18:16   Khurshid becomes 1st, only minister to take charge
Salman Khurshid has taken charge as the External Affairs Minister, the only minister to assume the charge immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.

"The Prime Minister and Congress President have placed a very very important responsibility on my shoulders. It will be my endevour to ensure that I live up to their very high standards," Khurshid, 59-year-old lawyer by training, said after taking over from his predecessor S M Krishna at South Block.  
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18:13   No new Congress MP from Maharashtra in revamped Cabinet
No Congress MP from Maharashtra has found a place in the revamped Council of Ministers. Names of senior State Congress leaders Gurudas Kamat and Vilas Muttemwar were doing the rounds for possible induction into the Council of Ministers, but the only new face from Maharashtra was NCP leader Tariq Anwar, a Rajya Sabha member from the State.

Anwar has been made Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries. It was expected that the Congress leadership would induct someone from the state to fill the vacancy caused by the demise of senior party leader Vilasrao Deshmukh in August. However, the portfolio held by Deshmukh at the time of his death, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, has been given to S Jaipal Reddy.

Congress leader from Vidarbha Mukul Wasnik, who held the portfolio of Social Justice, resigned yesterday. Maharashtra has seven representatives in the Council of Ministers, including those of Sharad Pawar-led NCP, the Congress ally at the Centre and in the state.
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18:04   All the best, Mr Khurshid
Syed Akbaruddin, the spokesperson for the MEA, posts this picture on Twitter -- former foreign minister SM Krishna wishes the new foreign minister Salman Khurshid success.

On Saturday, a day after SM Krishna put in his papers as union foreign minister, he said, "The flavour of the season is that youngsters must take over the reins of responsibility", but hastened to debunk suggestions of sarcasm by adding that he was gladdened by the turn of events.

Krishna, suave as ever and careful about his words, today said his time as external affairs minister was up. Krishna, 80, said demographic changes in India with "60 to 70 per cent population" being below 35-years meant that "senior citizens like me should make way". Read
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18:01   Bengal thoroughly DEPRIVED: Trinamool
In Kolkata, TMC leader Saugata Roy said "West Bengal has been thoroughly deprived in the cabinet reshuffle. West Bengal had two most important leaders (Pranab Mukherjee and Mamata Banerjee) in the Union Cabinet in 2009. Now it has none", Roy told PTI. The three Congress leaders from the state, all bitter critics of Mamata Banerjee, were picked up as ministers only to 'needle' TMC, Roy said.
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17:58   Average age of Cabinet hasn't really come down: BJP
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. 
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17:47   Diggi hits out at govt: Madhya Pradesh disappointed
Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh today said that party men in Madhya Pradesh were disappointed with the latest reshuffle in the Union Council of Ministers.

"We are disappointed, but definitely not disheartened and we will continue to work with more vigour to strengthen Congress in the state," he added. Coming out in defence of Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, amid a row over deals between him and DLF, Singh said "he (Vadra) has not done anything wrong and nothing was also found against him in the probe conducted by the Haryana government."

Singh alleged that in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP was protecting Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the alleged dumper scam, in which he had given "fake address".

According to the case, dumpers had been allegedly leased out to a private company by not providing correct address and on fictitious names.
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17:35   Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Manipur MIA in Cabinet
With the exit of Subodh Kant Sahai, there is no representative of Jharkhand in the ministry. The resignation of Agatha Sangma and Vincent Pala has put Meghalaya in the same category. Goa has not had a minister at the Centre for the last over six years. Manipur is also falls in the same bracket.
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17:32   Rahul Gandhi, Missing In Action
Political analysts say that Rahul Gandhi may be running out of time to make himself a credible candidate by showing voters he's willing to take on real governing duties.
Read
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17:31   Harish Rawat all smiles after promotion
Harish Rawat, Union Water Resources, who was elevated to the Cabinet rank, was all smiles as he entered the Ashoka Hall. Rawat, a strong contender for the post of the Uttarakhand Chief Minister after the March elections to the state assembly, had been sulking when the top post went to Vijay Bahuguna. All is well now, it seems.
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17:25   Party is a big ocean, accommodates all: Congress
Despite the 'old wine in new bottle' comments all around, the Congress today hailed the reshuffle in the Union Cabinet as a "meaningful change" giving representation to both youth and experience and hoped it will further "improve" the functioning of the government.

"There are a total 22 new appointments, of which seven are Cabinet Ministers. This is called a big change, a meaningful change.. when a big change takes place, it is expected that it will improve the functioning of the government.

"The reshuffle has given representation to both the old and experienced people as well as the young and new faces," party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.

He also dismissed contentions that some people have been ignored in the exercise, saying it is wrong to presume that anybody has been ignored if some people continue working in the party or some in the government have quit to work for the party as the party is a "big ocean" which accommodates all.
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17:12   Rahul teases reporters: I'm talking to my imprints
Rahul Gandhi, who arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhawan along with his mother Sonia Gandhi, was seen chatting with young ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora, Sachin Pilot, R P N Singh and Jitendra Singh after the swearing-in ceremony. "I am talking with my 'imprints'," he said jocularly when journalists sought his comments on the reshuffle. He was apparently referring to media reports of 'Rahul imprint on Cabinet reshuffle'.
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17:11   Mrs Tharoor takes pics of husband's swearing in
The ornate Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan today reverberated with joy as 22 new ministers were inducted into the central government.

Shashi Tharoor, who made a comeback in the government, was seen greeted by one and many as he and his wife Sunanda Pushkar gracefully acknowledged the greetings.

Pushkar was also seen chatting with National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon among others before the swearing-in ceremony and clicked pictures using her mobile phone as Tharoor walked up to the podium to take oath of office and secrecy. 
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16:51   Senior citizens like me should make way: Krishna
On Saturday, a day after SM Krishna put in his papers as union foreign minister, he said, "The flavour of the season is that youngsters must take over the reins of responsibility", but hastened to debunk suggestions of sarcasm by adding that he was gladdened by the turn of events.

Krishna, suave as ever and careful about his words, today said his time as external affairs minister was up. Krishna, 80, said demographic changes in India with "60 to 70 per cent population" being below 35-years meant that "senior citizens like me should make way". More on the Telegraph.


The complete list of ministers in the cabinet
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16:42   Electricity for all, promises Scindia
Newly appointed Union Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said that his priorities will be to ensure proper electricity supply in the country. Scindia became MoS with independent charge today.

"My priorities will be to ensure that there is proper electric supply. Both the government and private electric companies must work in tandem for the united goal of the country's progress," Scindia said.

He takes over the reins of the power ministry at a time when the sector is grappling with acute fuel shortages besides environmental hurdles, which are also hurting electricity generation in the country.

"I will also try to ensure coordination with coal and environment ministries," Scindia said. "As part of the central government's vision, I will try to make sure that the remote areas of the country get power supply. I will try to ensure growth in the sector," he noted. Read
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16:38   AP's share in Team Manmohan: Biggest, yet too late
It has taken three-and-a-half years for the Congress leadership and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to realise that without Andhra Pradesh they would not be in power at the Centre, and will not be able to do the same in 2014 without this southern citadel standing by them. Read the report on rediff.com
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16:31   Sonia, PM has rectified feeling of being let down: Raju
M M Pallam Raju, who has been allocated the HRD portfolio, today said he will carry forward the "good work" initiated by his predecessor Kapil Sibal, who set in motion several reforms during his tenure.

"Kapil Sibalji has done a lot of good work and I think that needs to be carried forward," Raju said following his evalation as a Cabinet minister. Raju, who was MoS in the Defence Ministry, takes charges of the HRD Ministry at a time when a host of legislation related to reforms in higher education sector are pending in Parliament.

"I think, both in UPA I and II, we had the largest contribution of MPs from Andhra Pradesh and I think people of Andhra Pradesh were also feeling let down on the issue of adequate representation. Now its been rectified. We are grateful to Soniaji and the Prime Minister for rectifying that," he said.

Raju is one of six new faces from Andhra Pradesh.
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16:16  
If you're unfamiliar with the work of India's new tourism minister, Dr K Chiranjeevi, have a look
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16:10   Won't depart from Krishna's views on Pak: Khurshid
As you know, the external affairs ministry has gone to the Salman Khurshid. Speaking to the media immediately after the swearing in ceremony Khurshid said, he is not going to depart from what SM Krishna's (former MEA) has been on Pakistan and China, since he has seen the situation from close quarters. "But it is important to have the best relations in the neighbourhood. Let us take things one at a time," said Khurshid.  
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16:02   New ministers chorus on 'challenges, responsibilites'
More reactions coming in...

Newly appointed Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat said the reshuffle was being done keeping in mind the 2014 parliamentary elections. "The reshuffle will definitely have a good impact because such exercises are  conducted after a long thought process and various permutations and combinations are kept in mind. The responsibility and challenges of elections cannot be undermined, also the responsibility to carry forward the work of the Prime Minister," said Rawat.  

New Minority Affairs Minister
K Rahman Khan said the reshuffle would alter the view that the government was attracting negative publicity, and hoped this view would be nullified. "It is important for every government and every party to work towards their image building. The main focus of image building is to fulfill all those promises made to the common man, and I can vouch for our UPA Government, that it has fulfilled all the promises made to the people. All this negative publicity needs to be changed and we should go to the people," said Khan.  

Minister of State for Power (Independent Charge) Jyotiraditya Scindia said: "We have given the responsibility and now it is our job to stand up to those responsibilities and expectations through hard work. I want to thank the Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for giving us youngsters this opportunity, me this opportunity, and now, we need to live up to those expectations," said Scindia.  

Shashi Tharoor made a comeback as Minister of State for Human Resource Development. Tharoor, who was earlier the Minister of State for External Affairs, was seen with his wife, Sunanda Pushkar, offering prayers to the idol of Lord Shiva before leaving for Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential residence, to take his oath of office. 

Tell us what you think of the Cabinet reshuffle here
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15:51   Tariq Anwar: Will perform with full devotion
Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Tariq Anwar (Agriculture & Food Processing Industries minister) said it was a new experience for him and he will try to fulfill his responsibilities well.

"It is a new experience for me. I have worked in the alliance for a long time but it is good and I hope that whatever portfolio is given by our Prime Minister and Congress party chief, I will perform with full devotion after taking (ministerial) responsibility," said Anwar.

Anwar replaces NCP's Agatha Sangma and is only a minister of state, despite his seniority. Obviously shows this is an all out Cong reshuffle.
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15:24   Jitin Prasada 'grateful' to Big Three
Here's what Jitin Prasada, the new Minister of State for Defence and Human Resource Development, said: "It is a big responsibility that my party and its leaders - Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have bestowed on me". He was earlier Minister of State for Road, Transport and Highways. "I am really grateful to Mrs Gandhi, Singh and Rahul Gandhi for considering me for these sensitive portfolios. I will perform my duties to the best of my abilities," he added.
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15:21   Youngest Cabinet minister Maken: We will perform
Sports Minister Ajay Maken, who has been promoted as the Cabinet Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, thanked Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for reposing confidence in him and giving him the opportunity to perform at a higher level.

"I am very happy that Congress President, Prime Minister, and Rahulji all three of them have given me another opportunity to perform at much higher level. So, I am extremely grateful to them for the confidence that they have posed on me and I will work, in whichever portfolio I am allocated, with full dedication and honesty," said Maken. Maken also mentioned that through this reshuffle a chance was being given to younger leaders to perform.

"It's an opportunity for us. I am not so young but still comparatively younger. People like us have been given opportunity, so I think; now we should perform and we should show our countrymen that comparatively younger people when given an opportunity they perform," said Maken.

Ajay Maken is also distantly related to the former President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, says Wikipedia. Ajay Maken's uncle Lalit Maken was married to Dr Sharma's daughter Gitanjali. Geethanjali and Lalit Maken were killed by Sikh Militants in 1985.
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15:12  
Everyone seems happy to see Shashi Tharoor back in the government after two years of seeming penance since the IPL controversy. .

Carl Bildt @carlbildt Happy to see that my friend @ShashiTharoor is back in the government of India. He has much to contribute.

Bildt is the foreign minister of Sweden since 2006.
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15:07   PM's dream team
President Pranab Mukerjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with the new ministers after the swearing in ceremony at Rashtrapathi Bhavan today.
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15:06  
@ArvindKejriwal7 Can govt explain why XYZ was removed from any ministry and why ABC was brought in? Or is it completely arbitrary and whimsical? Then, how r we a democracy? Isn't it dictatorship?
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15:01   Manish Tewari becomes minister after 31 years with Cong
One of the big winners today, is Manish Tewari.

Though a first time MP, AICC spokesperson Tewari has a long association of nearly 31 years with Congress since joining its youth wing in 1981.

The 47-year-old leader was seen as a strong defence line of the Congress in JPC on 2G to counter BJP onslaught. Tewari, who was the president of Indian Youth Congress from 1998 to 2000, lost the 2004 Lok Sabha polls but successfully contested the 2009 general elections from Ludhiana by defeating Shiromani Akali Dal's candidate Gurcharan Singh Galib by a margin of over one lakh votes.

During his pre-university days, he joined youth wing of Congress and rose to become its All India Youth President before becoming the Secretary of AICC and was appointed as its Spokesperson in 2008.

Tewari comes from an eminent Punjabi family. His father V N Tewari, a professor of Punjab University, was part of the freedom movement and was killed by terrorists in 1984, few months before Operation Blue Star. Tewari's grandfather Sardar Tirath Singh too was an advocate and Minister in the Congress Government in Punjab.
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14:57   Rail minister Bansal: All states will get their due
Pawan K Bansal who takes over as the railway minister tells NDTV, "It will be my endeavor to see that all states get their due as far as railways is concerned. It should benefit people all over the country.  The priority is also to see that safety and cleanliness standards are improved. Priority is to improve the health of railways -  physical and financial health. We have to see where we can cut on expenditure, where we can reduce fares also so that ultimately people are served."

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14:40   Ho hum, it's old wine in new bottle, says Badal
Terming the reshuffle in Union Council of Ministers as a "face saving" exercise, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said it is the the "same old wine in new bottle --  and would in no way improve the Congress' image.

"This exercise would prove futile. What the country needed at this crucial juncture was some revolutionary changes in policies in the interests of the common man and not political gimmicks or jugglery of sorts to befool the aam adami (common man)," Badal said.

He claimed the exercise would in no way improve the image of the Congress led UPA government. "It is a face saving exercise, which is not going to help the Congress. It will hardly make any difference as writing is on the wall that the Congress would be routed out from the political map of the country in the next Lok Sabha elections," Badal said
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14:36  
Arvind Kejriwal on Twitter: Reshuffle exposes this govt. Corrupt are not just protected but also rewarded.

By making Salman Khurshid the external affairs minister, the government has shown that the cards are in its hands, never mind the Khurshid's momentary 'replace ink with blood' drama.
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14:30  
Here's the complete list of portfolios...

Cabinet Ministers
Vayalar Ravi: Overseas Indian Affairs
Kapil Sibal: Communications & Information Technology
CP Joshi: Road Transport & Highways
Kumari Selja: Social Justice & Empowerment
Pawan Kumar Bansal: Railways
Salman Khursheed: External Affairs
Jairam Ramesh: Rural Development
M Veerappa Moily: Petroleum & Natural Gas:
S Jaipal Reddy: Science & Technology and Earth Sciences
Kamal Nath: Urban Development & Parliamentary Affairs
K. Rahman Khan: Minority AffairsDinsha
J. Patel: Mines
Ajay Maken: Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation
MM Pallam Raju: Human Resource Development
Ashwani Kumar: Law & Justice
Harish Rawat: Water Resources
Chandresh Kumari Katoch: Culture

Ministers of State with independent charge
Manish Tewari: Information & Broadcasting
Dr. K. Chiranjeevi: Tourism
Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia: Power
K.H. Muniappa: Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
Bharatsinh Madhavsinh Solanki: Drinking Water & Sanitation
Sachin Pilot: Corporate Affairs
Jitendra Singh: Youth Affairs & Sports

Ministers of state
Dr. Shashi Tharoor: Human Resource Development
Kodikunnil Suresh: Labour & Employment
Tariq Anwar: Agriculture & Food Processing Industries
KJ Surya Prakash Reddy: Railways
Ranee Narah: Tribal Affairs
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: Railways
AH Khan Choudhury: Health & Family Welfare
Sarvey Sathyanarayana: Road Transport & Highways
Ninong Ering: Minority Affairs
Deepa Dasmunsi: Urban Development
Porika Balram Naik: Social Justice & Empowerment
Dr.(Smt.) Kruparani Killi: Communications & Information Technology
Lalchand Kataria: Defence
E. Ahamed: External Affairs
D. Purandeswari: Commerce & Industry
Jitin Prasada: Defence & Human Resource Development
Dr. S. Jagathrakshakan: New & Renewable Energy
R.P.N. Singh: Home
K.C. Venugopal: Civil Aviation
Rajeev Shukla: Parliamentary Affairs & Planning.
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14:30   MoS Chiranjeevi: The hero makes a comeback!
He cruised up touching the sky in the tinsel town like a powerful rocket, but when Chiranjeevi replaced the engine of cinema with rustic politics, it was not smooth sailing for him. On Rediff.com, read

Chiranjeevi was sworn in as minister of state (independent charge) for tourism.

Twenty-two ministers took oath today, with 17 new faces being inducted.
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14:26  
And here's Mahesh Bhupathi saying his farewell to the former sports minister Ajay Maken.

@Maheshbhupathi Good Bye @ajaymaken. You have set the bar. Hope the next in line follow through. Indian sport will forever be grateful!!
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14:24   Sonia: Party reshuffle next
So the government now consists of 79 members. Of the 22 ministers inducted, 10 are first timers. Congress president Sonia Gandhi said that a reshuffle of the party was on the cards next. The focus of today's cabinet reshuffle was on inducting new and young faces, with the states of Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal cornering the major share of the 22 ministers who were sworn in today.

While Andhra Pradesh has six new faces, West Bengal will have three more representatives.

The reshuffle move appears to be aimed at countering the Telangana statehood issue, the political threat from the YSR Congress and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee who pulled out of the UPA following differences over economic reforms. Today's reshuffle of cabinet could help the government get over criticism of inertia in policy-making.

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14:08   Kamal Nath: Reshuffle good mix of youth, experience, talent
Kamal Nath, who gets additional charge of the Parliamentary Affairs ministry along with Urban Development. Speaking on the reshuffle to Times Now, Kamal Nath says, "The prime minister has brought younger people into positions of responsibility. The reshuffle is a good mix of younger people, experience and takent."
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14:00   More portfolio announcements
Ranee Narah: MoS Tribal Affairs
Deepa Dasmush
i: MoS Urban Development
CP Joshi: Road Transport and Highways
Ninong Ering: MoS Tribal Affairs

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13:57   Jitendra Singh: Sports, Kamal Nath: Parl Affairs
PM says the new cabinet comprises new faces and people with experience.
And more of the new portfolios..

Kamal Nath Addl Charge of Parliamentary Affairs
Jitin Prasada MoS Defence and HRD
Sathyanarayana: MoS Highways
Lalchand Kataria: MoS Defence


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13:49  
More portfolios

Shashi Tharoor MoS HRD
Kumari Selja is the new Social Justice Minister
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is MoS Railways
Balram Naik MoS Social Justice
Jitendra Singh
MoS Sports
K Suresh MoS Labour and Employment
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13:36   Bansal: Rail, Reddy: Tech, Chiranjeevi: Tourism
Pawan Kumar Bansal is new Railways Minister,

Jaipal Reddy made Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences
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13:35  
Former sports minister Ajay Maken who gets a promotion from MoS independent charge to a full rank cabinet minister tweets.

@ajaymaken Besides my Leaders, I owe my elevation to Sportspersons, their coaches and Sports-Journalists! Thanks! It was a great experience!
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13:28  
Tariq Anwar is Minister of State for Agriculture.
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13:24   I have put IPL behind me: Tharoor
Chiranjeevi  gets Tourism ministry -- MoS independent charge.

This is Shashi Tharoor's statement to NDTV just after he was sworn in. "I am very honored to be given the chance.Our government is committed to delivering. The time we have is less but we will deliver, but it is an important portfolio (HRD) as we have many young people in the country. We have to help them realise their aspirations."
Speaking on the IPL controversy, he said, "The controversies were created more by the media , the whole IPL issue behind me for several years now."
Tharoor made a comeback as Minister of State after over two years.
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13:17   It's official: Khurshid gets MEA, Tiwari: I&B
It's official: Here's the confirmed list of new portfolios...

Salman Khurshid is the new External Affairs Minister,
Ashwani Kumar gets Law Ministry,
K Rahman Khan made Minority Affairs Minister,
Ajay Maken is Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.
Dinsha Patel promoted as Cabinet Minister in Mines Ministry,
Pallam Raju upgraded and made HRD Minister.
Manish Tewari gets Information and Broadcasting. 
Jyotiraditya Scindia: gets the Power ministry
Sachin Pilot: gets Corporate Affairs
Harish Rawat made Water Resources Minister
Chandresh Kumari is the new Culture Minister
Veerappa Moily: gets the petroleum ministry, moved from corporate affairs.
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13:14  
Harish Rawat made Water Resources Minister while Chandresh Kumari is the new Culture Minister. More awaited.

This is the first official list of the new portfolios.
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13:09   Man who forgot to sign his paper
Porika Naik Balram, who was sworn in today almost forgot to sign his name after being sworn in. He had rushed to greet President Pranab Mukherjee after his oath-taking. He was the man who stumbled his way through the oath taking. An official had to remind him to sign papers. Congressman, represents Mahabubabad in Andhra Pradesh in the Lok Sabha.
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12:51   Last reshuffle before 2014, NO early elections: PM
Ruling out early elections, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today's expansion of his Council of Ministers would probably be the last.

"I don't see early elections. Elections will be held in due course," he told reporters at the Rashtrapati Bhawan after the swearing-in ceremony. Asked whether this would be the last reshuffle, he said: "Hopefully, probably this is the last reshuffle."

Asked what was the message from today's exercise, he said it is a combination of youth, experience and relevance of portfolios. What is the road ahead? he was asked.

The Prime Minister replied that the road ahead is full of challenges. To a question about the proposal to move some people from Government to party, he said: "The party also needs men and women of experience to strengthen it. They will be equally productive in the party."
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12:46   TMC reacts: Cong won't gain by annonying Mamata
First reactions coming in: The TMC says that the Congress will NOT get anything by annoying Mamata. The truth is the Congress is doing very badly in West Bengal. 

The statement comes in the wake of three Bengal MPs, all vociferously anti-Mamata, being sworn-in today. They include A H Khan Chowdhry, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhry and Deepa Dasmunshi.

The BJP, meanwhile, says that the reshuffle will not help.

The PM adds another statement on Rahul Gandhi, that he always wanted him in the cabinet, but it has been Rahul's decision to stay out as he wants to strengthen the party.
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12:41   Here's a quick recap of who was sworn-in today
Seven Cabinet ministers, including new faces K Rehman Khan and Chandresh Kumari, and 15 Ministers of State were sworn-in today as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expanded his Council of Ministers.

Five Ministers of State -- Dinsha Patel, M M Pallam Raju, Harish Rawat, Ajay Maken and Ashwani Kumar -- were promoted to Cabinet rank.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari and actor-turned- politician Chiranjeevi were brought in as Ministers of State with independent charge, while Shashi Tharoor made a comeback as Minister of State after over two years.

12 new Ministers of State were sworn-in. They are Tariq Anwar (Maharashtra), K Suresh (Kerala), A H Khan Chowdhry, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhry and Deepa Dasmunshi, (West Bengal), S Satyanarayana, K Jayasuyraprakash Reddy, P Balram Naik, and Killi Kriparani (Andhra Pradesh). Lalchand Kataria (Rajasthan), Ranee Narah (Assam) and Ninong Ering (Arunachal Pradesh) are the others who were sworn-in as MoS.
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12:35   Manmohan, not Rahul reshuffle; Mamata baiters in
The Prime Minister's first statement post reshuffle. Dr Manmohan Singh says this is probably the last reshuffle, and hopefully the last reshuffle before the 2014 polls. Answering the Rahul question, he says the congress general secretary wants to focus on the party.

Ajay Maken, meanwhile, says he is very happy that he has been given another opportunity to perform at a higher level and thanks the PM, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Maken has been elevated from MoS (Independent charge) to a full rank cabinet minister. He is likely to be information and broadcasting minister. 
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12:28   Manmohan, not Rahul reshuffle, Mamata baiters in
All soothsayers have been proved wrong. All that jazz about a young brigade, about Rahul Gandhi's stamp on the selection, seems to be unfounded. Rahul Gandhi exchanging a quip with vice president Hamid Ansari. Both dissolve into laughter. It's more a Manmohan Singh reshuffle.

Here's the list of who has been sworn in.

Cabinet:
K Rahman Khan, Dinshaw Patel, Ajay Maken, Pallam Raju, Ashwani Kumar, Harish Rawat and Chandresh Kumari Katoch.

Minister of State, Independent charge:  Manish Tewari and K Chieranjeevi Minister of State: Shashi Tharoor, Kodi Kunil Suresh, Tariq Anwar, K Jayasurya Prakash Reddy, Rani Nara, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhry, A H Khan Chowdhry, S Satyanarayana, Ninong Ering, Deepa Dasmunshi, Porika Balaram Naik, Dr Smt Krupa Ravi Killi and Lalchand Kataria.
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12:15  
With Lalchand Kataria, the swearing-in ceremony ends. National anthem being played at the Ashok Hall at Rashtrapati Bhavan.  
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12:11   5 new faces from AP, three from Bengal
P Balaram Naik being sworn in. There are five faces from Andhra Pradesh, including Naik. He is represents the Mehboobabad constituency.

So, three MoS from West Bengal replacing the Trinamool factor and five from AP.
K Killi being sworn in. She is a first time MP from Andhra Pradesh.    #cabinetreshuffle

Lalchand Kataria being sworn in.

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12:06   Message to Mamata: Bengal contingent sworn in
The granddaughter of Apollo Hospital's Dr C Pratap Reddy in the audience. Ranee Narah sworn in as a Minister of State. She is one of the faces from the North East in this reshuffle and is from the Lakhimpur constituency in Assam.

Ninong Ering
being sworn in. He represents Arunachal Pradesh and was a deputy speaker of the AP Assembly.

Deepa Dasmunshi being sworn in. She is a strong anti-Mamata leader from West Bengal and is the wife of Priyranjan Dasmunshi, who has been in a coma for over four years. She is likely to be MoS Culture.
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11:59   Message to Mamata: AR Chowdhury sworn in
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, one of the prime opponents of Mamata Banerjee is being sworn in. OK, K Chiranjeevi likely to get Tourism Ministry Manish Tewari to be MoS I&B (independent charge)Shashi Tharoor to be MoS HRD.

AH Khan Chowdhury being sworn in. Another message for Ms Banerjee -- The UPA 2 is doing quite well without her support, thank you. He is the brother of Ghani Khan Chowdhury, not his son.
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11:55  
Interestingly, 'Maharani' Chandresh Kumari Katoch, who was sworn in is the eldest daughter of the royal house of Jodhpur and is married to the maharaja of Kangra. Here's more on the lady. Read
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11:53  
Chiranjeevi's son and daughter is in the audience.
NCP's Tariq Anwar being sworn in. He will replace NCP's Agatha Sangma and is likely to be only a minister of state, despite his seniority. Obviously shows this is an all out Cong reshuffle.
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11:51   Chiranjeevi, Tharoor sworn in
Telugu superstar K Chiranjeevi sworn in. He was elected from Tirupati in AP. He is a winner of 10 Filmfare awards. He entered politics in 2008 with the Praja Rajyam Party. He will made a minister of state with independent charge.

And the big comeback-- Shashi Tharoor being sworn in. Possibly the most articulate member of the government. He will become a minister of state. He used to be the UN undersecretary general and narrowly lost to Ban Ki Moon. 
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11:45   Gen Next: Maken, Ashwani, Pallam, Tiwari sworn in
At Rashtrapati Bhavan Jyotiraditya Scindia is seated next to Shobhana Bharatiya, the owner of Hindustan Times. 

Chandresh Kumari  Katoch being sworn in, representing Rajasthan and is from Himachan Pradesh. Likely to get Social Justice.

Minister of State, Independent charge, Manish Tiwari sworn in. The most oft-seen face on TV as the Congress spokesperson.
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11:42   Maken, Ashwani Kumar, Pallam sworn in
Ashwini Kumar, a senior Supreme Court advocate becomes the new law minister, or likely to become the new law minister.

Harish Rawat, MoS Agriculture, being sworn in. He is a RS MP from Uttarakhand.
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11:41  
Ajay Maken being sworn in as a full cabinet rank minister. Most likely to information and broadcasting. He was sports minister.

Pallam Raju sworn in. He was MoS defence.

Ashwani Kumar sworn in.
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11:37   Pranab administers oath: Rahman Khan sworn in
The ministry that K Rahman gets is the new minority affairs minister. This is the first time that Pranab Mukherjee administers as swearing in.

Dinsha Patel being sworn in now. He becomes a cabinet minister now, he is a five-time member from the Gujarat Assembly. 
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11:34  
Pomp and ceremony at Rashtrapait Bhavan as President Pranab Mukherjee reaches the podium amid fanfare. The national anthem plays. Sonia Gandhi seated between the PM and AK Antony.
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11:31   Prez greets ministers seconds ahead of reshuffle
According to CNN IBN here is the new list of Cabinet Ministers:
Ajay Maken, Pallam Raju, Harish Rawat, Dinsha Patel, Ashwani KumarMinisters of state: Shashi Tharoor, Kodikunnil Suresh, Tariq Anwar, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury , Sarve Satyanarayana, Ninong Ering, Deepa Dasmunsi, Porika Balram Naik, Dr Smt Kruparani Killi and Lalchand Kataria.Minister of state with independent charge: Manish Tewari, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Chiranjeevi. Ering is the first Buddhist minister in a long time. 
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11:28   Prez greets ministers seconds ahead of reshuffle
All eyes now at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the PM and President have greeted the assemblage of ministers just as the reshuffle announcement is set to begin.
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11:24   22 ministers to take oath at 11.30 am, 17 new faces
Shashi Tharoor and his wife Sunanda have left for Rashtrapati Bhavan where the Prime Minister will announce the new cabinet of ministers. This is the second time that the cabinet has been reshuffled in UPA 2.  
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11:22  
In another 10 minutes, at 11.30 am, 22 ministers will be sworn-in today, 17of who are first-timers.
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11:20  
@BloombergTVIndExclusive: Cabinet Reshuffle: Manish Tewari to get I&B Ministry (MoS - Independent Charge)

Another update ... Harish Rawat who is now the MoS Agriculture is likely to get health.

MPs from Bengal  who have been called for the swearing-in ceremony:
Abu Hasem Khan Choudhary , MP from South Malda. He is the son of the stalwart of Malda, the late Ghani Khan Chowdhury and a minister of railways in Indira Gandhi's cabinet. 
Deepa Dasmunshi MP from  Raiganj
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. MP from  Berhampore, reports NDTV.

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11:13  
More updates...

Chandresh Katoch likely to social justice.
Either Manish Tiwari or Jyotiraditya Scindia is likely to get corporate affairs.
Remember, Shashi Tharoor is making a comeback to the ministry two years after his departure over the IPL controversy.
Sachin Pilot may get sports.
As we told you earlier, Salman Khurshid is more than likely to get the external affairs ministry, which in effect is a message to Arvind Kejriwal and the IAC team that they really don't give a fig about his allegations.

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11:06   The possibles...
Here are the 'confirmed' portfolios according to various TV reports. Every single channel making its own predictions, but more or less on similar lines.

Deepa Das Munshi to get ministry of culture.

Salman Khurshid is set to be the next Minister for External Affairs, taking over from SM Krishna, who resigned on Friday.

Ashwani Kumar likely to law minister.

Jyotiraditya Scindia to get corporate affairs, and a move up to minister of state with independent charge.

Veerappa Moily to get Petroleum.

Shashi Tharoor will be as Minister of State, for what is still not known.

Pallam Raju, the next Minister for Human Resources Development.
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10:55   Get one, drop one
Ministers with dual portfolio will now retain just one. Which means one of these portfolios will be dropped.

Kapil Sibal: HRD, Telecom
Veerapa Moily: Power, Corporate Affairs
Salman Khurshid: Law & Justice, Minority Affairs
Anand Sharma: Commerce, Textiles
Vayalar Ravi: Overseas Affairs, Science and Technology, Micro small and Medium enterprises
Pawan Bansal: Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources CP Joshi: Railways, Road Transport and Highways
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10:50   So, why the Cabinet reshuffle?
If you've just joined us, a reshuffle of the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will take place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at 11.30 am. After the reshuffle, Dr Singh leaves for Himachal Pradesh to address a poll rally.

Why reshuffle? The reshuffle has been necessitated with six ministers of the Trinamool Congress quitting the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the government last month. Ministers belonging to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Party (DMK) of Tamil Nadu had also left the cabinet, though the party continues to offer outside support to the UPA alliance.

With President Pranab Mukherjee accepting the resignations of seven Cabinet Ministers late on Saturday evening, the reshuffle is expected to see the induction of at least twelve ministers, most of them being younger in age.

There will be a conscious effort to ensure that cabinet has a younger profile. 
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10:44   Shinde, Chidambaram, Antony will retain portfolios
Here are the likely changes in the cabinet reshuffle.

Anand Sharma/Salman Khurshid: From Commerce Ministry to External Affairs Ministry. Undecided on who will finally get the ministry, but likely to go to Khurshid, despite his ink-for-blood rant.  

Ghulam Nabi Azad: Fom Health to Petroleum Ministry

Jaipal Reddy: To be shifted to from Petroleum Ministry Human Resources Development Ministry.

Kapil Sibal: Telecom Ministry and Human Resources Development Ministry, likely to retain only telecom. Ministers with dual portfolios will retain only one.

Veerappa Moily: Corporate Affairs Minister and Power. May shed Power. 

Sushil Kumar Shinde was moved to Home Ministry, and will retain the ministry.

NTRs daughter D Purandeswari: Ministry of Commerce portfolio

Harish Rawat: The Congress leader from Uttarakhand who had revolted against the partys decision to not make him Chief Minister in Uttarakhand could be elevated to Health Minister

Kamal Nath: Currently is Urban Development Minister and could be given additional charge of Parliamentary Affairs

Pawan Kumar Bansal: Likely to give up Parliamentary Affairs Ministry and retain Water Resources Ministry. Or... may get rail ministry.

Manish Tewari: May get Ambika Soni's Minister for Information and Broadcasting.

Actor-turned politician Chiranjeevi: Minister for Tourism. Others who could see themselves elevated as minister. 
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10:32   Rahul's reshuffle? Scindia, Pilot to be elevated
A conscious effort to raise the profile of young ministers will define the reshuffle Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will effect this morning.

Although the exercise will be marked by boost for law minister Salman Khurshid and urban development minister Kamal Nath, it is the elevation of Ajay Maken, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot that illustrates Congress's plan to showcase the latest ministerial rejig as the evidence of Rahul Gandhi's growing involvement in party affairs.

PK Bansal likely to get railways, while Salman Khurshid likely to get the external affairs ministry.
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10:27   12 ministers expected to be inducted into Cabinet
Big, big Cabinet reshuffle today. Three cabinet ministers and three ministers of state quit the government yesterday, setting the stage for the much-awaited cabinet reshuffle today.

External affairs minister SM Krishna had resigned on Friday.
Cabinet ministers Ambika Soni, Mukul Wasnik and SK Sahai met PM Manmohan Singh and handed over their resignations.
Ministers of state Mahadev Khandela (tribal affairs), Agatha Sangma (rural development) and Vincent Pala (water resources and minority affairs) also quit on Saturday. Read more
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10:15   Shift likely for Sharma, Khurshid and Kamal Nath
With President Pranab Mukherjee accepting the resignations of seven Cabinet ministers late on Saturday evening, the reshuffle is expected to see the induction of at least 12 ministers, most of them being younger in age. There will be a conscious effort to ensure that Cabinet has a younger profile.

According to sources, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, Law Minister Salman Khurshid and Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath are likely to be shifted from their present portfolios. Elevation in rank and status are also expected for Ajay Maken, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot and D Purandeshwari.

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