New Delhi:
Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to join the Cabinet in a reshuffle that is reportedly scheduled soon, NDTV has learnt. There was speculation that the Congress general secretary might take up a ministry. The speculation was also fuelled by the fact that Congress leaders had made public announcements about a "big decision" regarding Mr Gandhi. The Prime Minister too had said several times that he would welcome it if Mr Gandhi joins government.
Mr Gandhi is likely to remain in the party and may get a larger role.
The reshuffle is also likely to see a change in the top four ministries - Home, Finance, Defence and External Affairs. It is not clear yet which one it will be. Of the four, two have seen recent changes, with P Chidambaram moving to Finance and Sushil Kumar Shinde to Home.
Contrary to recent reports, Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan is not being moved to the Centre. He was Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office before being sent to Maharashtra following the Adarsh scam. Amit Deshmukh, son of former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who died recently, is likely to be brought into the state cabinet.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Reddy too is likely to remain in Hyderabad, at least till the Telengana issue is resolved.
But in a politically significant move, Andhra actor-politician Chiranjeevi will be given a Cabinet berth. His Praja Rajyam Party had merged with the Congress earlier.
In West Bengal, Deepa Dasmunshi or Adhir Choudhury could also be inducted into the government. Ms Dasmunshi has been on the toughest critics of Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee.
From Karnataka, K Rehman Khan is likely to be inducted.