New Delhi, Jan 18: An expansion of the Union Council of ministers is likely to take place in the first week of next month in which former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah may be inducted. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee may undertake the exercise of restructuring his ministry ahead of the budget session of parliament beginning from the last week of February, BJP sources said. Another possible induction is Trinamool Congress leader Mamta Banerjee. However, the problem was said to be one of portfolio for her as she is believed to be keen on railways which is now with Samata Party leader Nitish Kumar, the sources said. BJP General Secretary Rajnath Singh, who heads the committee to make recommendations on the Kelkar panel report on direct and indirect taxes, may be inducted into the cabinet, the sources said. Coal Minister Uma Bharati and minister of state for personnel, Vasundhare Raje are likely to quit the government to enable them devote more time for party work in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively, where assembly elections are due year end.
Bureau Report