New Delhi:
SM Krishna, 80, quit as Minister for external Affairs, saying, "It is time for the youngsters to take over." The young ones are indeed slated to feature in starring roles in today's big Cabinet reshuffle.
Sources said Jyotiraditya Scindia, 41, who has been a minister of state for many years now, his present assignment being junior minister in the Commerce Ministry, might be elevated to either Cabinet rank or to Minister of State with Independent charge. Also in line for promotion is Sachin Pilot, who is currently the minister of State, Communications and Information. Sources say he is tipped to take over from Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Ajay Maken, who in turn might be promoted to Cabinet rank.
Both Mr Scindia and Mr Pilot are sons of senior Congressmen - Madhavrao Scindia and Rajesh Pilot - who held important Cabinet portfolios and died young in mishaps.
Mr Maken himself would be counted among young politicians at 48.
The Congress is also reportedly set to induct some new young faces into the Manmohan Singh Council of Ministers. Congress spokesperson and Ludhiana MP Manish Tewari, 43, might be rewarded for his staunch and vocal defence of the Congress and the UPA government it leads, with a minister of state post. The cabinet might also see the induction of 40-year-old medical doctor Jyoti Mirdha from Rajasthan. Dr Mirdha is a first time MP.
The Manmohan Singh government also loses its youngest minister in this exercise. Agatha Sangma, 32, of the Nationalist Congress Party resigned today. She was the minister of state for rural development. Her father, Purno Sangma, fell foul of NCP president Sharad Pawar after defying the party and contesting the Presidential elections this year against the official UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee. Ms Sangma will be replaced as an NCP minister by Tariq Anwar who is 61 years old.