New Delhi, Sept 08: Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and MDMK's Gingee Ramachandran will be re-inducted in the Union Council of Ministers today in a minor expansion of the Vajpayee ministry which is also expected to witness some changes in portfolios. According to informed sources, Mamata, who is returning to the Cabinet after a gap of over two years, is likely to get coal ministry. However, in a late night development, Mamata Banerjee met the Prime Minister and is reported to have conveyed her reservation to allocation of coal portfolio.
Ramachandran, who had to resign as Union Minister of State for Finance in the wake of arrest of his personal assistant in the cash-for-transfer scam along with a Chennai-based chartered accountant earlier this year, may get back the old portfolio or shift to railways in same capacity. Incumbent Coal Minister Karia Munda is likely to be given a new portfolio.
MDMK sources said Ramachandran's name has been sent to the Prime Minister's office as the party insisted on his inclusion in the ministry. Ramachandran flew to Delhi from Chennai. In the expected reshuffle, Minister of State for Railways Bandaru Dattatreya may be elevated to Cabinet rank and given urban development ministry which is at present being held by B C Khanduri as additional charge. Bureau Report