Cabinet reshuffle slated for tomorrow evening

New Delhi:  The much awaited Cabinet reshuffle is slated for tomorrow evening. According to Rashtrapati Bhawan sources, the president's staff has been alerted to prepare for the event. 

Meanwhile, political sources say the reshuffle itself may turn out to be a minor adjustment of portfolios and induction of a few faces primarily to replace outgoing figures. As such it will be a damp squib, given the hullabaloo that has surrounded it.

But then that should be no surprise as even as the last minor reshuffle also took place amidst great expectations that it would herald great changes.

For the record, Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA president, Sonia Gandhi, have completed four rounds of meetings over the last so many days in an attempt to finalise a new list of ministers.

What has emerged now is that the reshuffle tomorrow will likely involve the swearing-in of three cabinet ministers, four ministers of state with independent charge, and six ministers of state.

Keeping the looming state elections in Uttar Pradesh in mind, Beni Prasad Verma, currently minister of state for steel, is expected to be elevated to Cabinet rank. He is a senior leader from that state.