ASSEMBLY POLL '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS '98
ARCHIVES

Vajpayee postpones Cabinet expansion

The much-awaited expansion of the Union Cabinet, planned for January 15, has been deferred, official sources said in New Delhi today.

"The expansion is likely to take place by the end of this month," the sources said.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had yesterday announced in Lucknow that he would expand his Cabinet on Friday.

The decision to defer the expansion comes in the wake of reported differences between the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies over the allotment of plum portfolios.

The postponement of the expansion by a fortnight will give Vajpayee and the BJP time to sort out these differences.

There is also pressure on the prime minister from within the party to accommodate the nominees of various groups and regions, making it extremely difficult for him to undertake the exercise.

While the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has demanded the petroleum and natural gas portfolio, the Trinamul Congress is eyeing the all-important railways department currently with Samata Party politician Nitish Kumar.

Vajpayee had planned to induct some 20 new members in his Cabinet.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report