news details |
|
|
| Sonia's 'no' to Deputy PM's post | | Shivraj Patil won't be deprived of Home portfolio | |
B L KAK
NEW DELHI, SEPT. 24: Contrary to a spate of media reports in recent days in relation to Sonia Gandhi's 'move' to snatch away Home portfolio from Shivraj Patil, the Congress-led coalition government at the Centre will not allow change of his present portfolio in the upcoming 'minor' reshuffle in the Union Council of Ministers. Patil, in fact, will continue to be the Union Home Minister.
If there was any doubt about it, it was set at rest on Sunday by the Congress president and chairperson of the ruling UPA (United Progressive Alliance), Sonia Gandhi. She made it plain that Shivraj Patil will continue to be the head of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Sonia Gandhi, who was in Nainital in conection with the conclave of the Chif Ministers of Congress-ruled States, declined to attach any importance to anti-Shivraj Patil campaign, making it clear that she was happy with his performance.
"I am fully satisfied with the Home Minister", pronounced Sonia Gandhi, thereby rejecting the media reports that had portrayed a dismal picture of the relationship between her and Shivraj Patil. Even as the relations between the Congress president and Sharad Pawar, Union Agriculture Minister, are not quite warm, Sonia Gandhi has also ruled out any change in the Ministry of Agriculture. She also said that she was satisfied with the functioning of the Agriculture Minister (Pawar).
Equally important pronouncement from the all-powerful Congress president: There is no possibility of appointing a Deputy Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is doing well. Hence, no post of a Deputy Prime Minister. Sonia Gandhi's 'no' to creating post of a Deputy Prime Minister assumes signifcance in the context of behind-the-scene efforts by the three stalwarts, each trying to outwit the other in forcing the Congress president in support for creating post of Deputy Prime Minister. These stalwarts are Arjun Singh, Human Resource Development Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister, and Sharad Pawar, Agriculture Minister--all eyeing for the post of Deputy Prime Minister.
"There would be no deputy PM. And I say this categorically," she said while addressing mediapersons at the conclusion of two-day Congress Chief Ministers conclave at Nainital on Sunday afternoon. Responding to a question, she said: "It would be wrong to say that there has been criticism of Union Home Minister about his functioning. I am satisfied with his working." Immediately after Sonia completed, Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, also said: "I am fully satisfied with the Home Minister."
At a time when some media reports had predicted appointment of a new person in place of Sharad Pawar in the Agriculture Ministry, Sonia Gandhi said that he (Pawar) was working in an effective manner and that there was no chance of having a replacement in the Agriculture Ministry.
"Sharad Pawarji is working in an effective manner. Before this CM conclave I had met him to discuss the problems in the agriculture sector. The problems were neglected during NDA regime. We are trying to improve the situation, and it will take time to bring the situation to the level that we want", she added. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
