Rahul Gandhi busy with session now, may discuss Cabinet reshuffle in August

Bengaluru: While there is much talk about a Cabinet reshuffle, perhaps the last in the present government, the matter has still not been discussed with the Congress high command, according to party sources.

With AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi busy with the ongoing parliamentary session, they have reportedly not yet paid any attention to the Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka.

Delhi leaders are therefore said to be astonished at the lobbying in Karnataka for Ministerial berths. Although the high command is aware of the fact that a Cabinet reshuffle is required following the resignation of KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar as Home Minister, and with a few ministers handling more than one portfolio , its immediate priority is to ensure the victory of Mr Ahmed Patel in Gujarat, where at least five Congress legislators have resigned, sources explain.

“As the Assembly elections are due only in March-April next year in Karnataka, the Congress high command feels it has enough time to pay attention to it and is concentrating on the Gujarat elections instead,” they add.

Mr Gandhi could, however, have a detailed discussion with the Chief Minister, Dr Parameshwar and other senior leaders of the Congress on the cabinet reshuffle, when he arrives to participate in a function in Raichur during the first week of August.

But ultimately, the green signal would have to come from Ms Sonia Gandhi, they noted. In the meanwhile party legislators have reportedly been told to go back to their constituencies to connect with people rather than trying to persuade the CM to give them ministerial posts and do the groundwork for the Congress’s victory in the coming assembly polls.