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Cabinet expansion on Jan 15, says PM

The Union Cabinet will be expanded on January 15, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said in Lucknow today.

Vajpayee said this during a brief chat with the reporters at Amausi airport this morning, while on a day-long visit to his parliamentary constituency.

When asked about the representation of Uttar Pradesh in the next expansion, Vajpayee replied, ''Wait and see''.

He evaded several questions on the composition of the Union Cabinet.

Earlier, on reaching the airport he was received by state Governor Surajbhan, Chief Minister Kalyan Singh and his other cabinet colleagues.

Contrary to his earlier announcement that he would not further contest in parliamentary elections, Vajpayee today gave ample indications that he was not averse to the idea of trying his luck again at the hustings.

Addressing the 87th foundation day functions at the King George Medical College in the city, Vajpayee said, ''Meri ichcha to raj karne ki hai (I desire to rule)'' while reciting some Vedic verses which meant, ''the desire to rule was nothing when compared to the desire to serve others''.

Thanking the people of Lucknow, he said, ''Had you people not made me an MP, I could never be the PM.''

''I will not wish to remain MP only if the people of Lucknow do not want me,'' he said indicating his desire to contest in the next elections. ''Even if I cease to be the PM, at least I will remain the MP,'' he added.

UNI

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