New Delhi, Oct 21: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee tonight maintained studied silence on reports of an expansion-cum-reshuffle of his ministry. Mum was his word when asked by reporters at a Diwali-eve get together organised by Union Minister of State for power Jayawantiben Mehta, whether he planned to go in for an expansion-cum-reshuffle of his ministry before the winter session of Parliament beginning early next month.

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, though inducted in cabinet sometime back, was still minister without portfolio.

Senior BJP leaders, during campaigning in the Solapur Lok Sabha bypoll recently, had assured the electorate that party candidate Pratapsinh Mohite Patil would be inducted in the ministry if they sent him to Parliament.

Bureau Report