New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to meet with President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday, triggering speculation about an expansion and reshuffle in the Union Cabinet.
With Parliament beginning a short session on Wednesday, there has been talk of appointing a minister in the finance portfolio, vacated by P Chidambaram.
Names of eminent economist C Rangarajan and former Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna are doing the rounds along with Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal's name is also doing the rounds as is that of Sushil Kumar Shinde.
New faces might be appointed for the portfolios of Information & Broadcasting, Coal & Environment and Forests ministries to ease the burden on the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra's new Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is allocating portfolios on Tuesday and two vital posts have now been filled. Ending all speculation, Chavan has given the home portfolio to Jayant Patil who was the finance minister in the Vilasrao Deshmukh government.
The new Chief Minister has said security will be a top priority. Dilip Walse Patil, who was the power minister in the Vilasrao Deshmukh government will be the finance minister.
The Public Works Ministry will be with deputy chief minister, Chhagan Bhujbal. Chief Minister Ashok Chavan heads a 39-member Congress led coalition ministry.
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