New Delhi, Oct. 26 (ANI): Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and Tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahai on Saturday have reportedly submitted their resignation to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik also resigned from the Union Cabinet on Friday evening.
Earlier on Friday, Dr. Singh accepted the resignation of External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, hours after the latter had forwarded his resignation in anticipation of Sunday's proposed reshuffle of the Union Cabinet.
Wasnik said after meeting Dr. Singh on Saturday: "I have already submitted my resignation to the Prime Minister on Friday evening."
These developments came as the Prime Minister met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for a one-on-one meeting that reportedly discussed the Cabinet reshuffle.
Krishna said that he wanted to give a free hand to Prime Minister Singh during the reshuffle.
In recent times, Krishna has been dogged by several controversies, including a Lokayukta report against him and his decision to go to England to watch tennis matches at Wimbledon.
His resignation comes a day after a special Lokayukta court ordered its police to probe the involvement former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Devegowda in the alleged Mysore-Bangalore Express Highway scam.
The suspense over Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi joining the government remains.
Sources said Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot are among those likely to be elevated. The reshuffle could also involve some ministers caught in controversies like coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal.
The NCP has already said it will replace its minister Agatha Sangma. She is likely to be replaced by senior leader Tariq Anwar.
Following are the possibilities:
Union Ministers of State for Communication and Information Technology Sachin Pilot and Milind Deora are likely to get higher posts in the Cabinet.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Tariq Anwar is likely to be inducted in the Cabinet.
Jyotiraditya Scindia among other young ministers is likely to be elevated.
Manish Tiwari, Deepa Dasmunshi, Chiranjeevi likely among new faces.
Subodhkant Sahai, Beni Prasad Verma and SM Krishna may be among the ministers dropped.
Beni Prasad Verma, Sriprakash Jaiswal and Ambika Soni may also be dropped.
Ministers holding dual charge like Kapil Sibal, Salman Khurshid, Veerappa Moily likely to be stripped off one portfolio.
Rehman Khan likely to get Minority Affairs Ministry.
No suggestion yet on Rahul Gandhi joining the Cabinet. (ANI)
