Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi held discussions for two hours here Tuesday, a party leader said, adding that issues related to a possible cabinet reshuffle next month also figured in the talks.

“It is only the first meeting. They are likely to hold several more discussions before the cabinet restructuring,” a party leader told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The two are likely to consider the feedback from government functionaries and party leaders on the performance of ministers in the coming days, sources added.

Current political developments, including those related to the anti-graft Lokpal bill and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) draft report on alleged lapses linked to gas exploration in the Krishna Godavari basin, were also discussed, they said.

Consultations with the leaders of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) constituent parties have also become necessary as some of the vacant cabinet births belonged to them, said sources.

DMK leader A. Raja resigned as communications minister in November 2010 in the wake of the 2G spectrum scam. Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee resigned as railway minister in May after being elected as West Bengal chief minister.

Consultations with UPA leaders were also lined up, they said.

According to sources, the prime minister and Gandhi were also likely to take a decision soon on appointment of new governors of Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.

“There will be several meetings between the top two (Manmohan Singh and Gandhi). They will interact with other leaders like Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister A.K. Antony to shape the new-look cabinet,” a party leader said.

“They are also likely to chalk out the strategy for the monsoon session of parliament beginning Aug 1,” he said.