No clear message emerges from Cabinet reshuffle

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New Delhi: The Prime Minister's much awaited cabinet reshuffle was almost four months in the making. However, in the end, it was not about performance, but it was about accommodation of non performers. Moreover it was not even about generation next. And crucially for a scam-hit Government, it was not about squeaky clean image either.

CNN IBN Editor in Chief Rajdeep Sardesai has said that, the timid Cabinet reshuffle is because the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi are basically two individuals who are turning out to be totally risk-averse when it comes to their own party.

Much to the disappointment of the allies, there are no new faces. There was speculation on DMK's TR Baalu being included in lieu of the resignation of A Raja and that was not done.

Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Prime Minister's much awaited cabinet reshuffle was almost four months in the making. However, in the end, it was not about performance, but it was about accommodation of non performers. Moreover it was not even about generation next. And crucially for a scam-hit Government, it was not about squeaky clean image either.

CNN IBN Editor in Chief Rajdeep Sardesai has said that, the timid Cabinet reshuffle is because the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi are basically two individuals who are turning out to be totally risk-averse when it comes to their own party.

Much to the disappointment of the allies, there are no new faces. There was speculation on DMK's TR Baalu being included in lieu of the resignation of A Raja and that was not done.

Mixed news was there for the NCP also. Praful Patel lost Civil Aviation, but got cabinet rank, while Sha! rad Pawa r lost ministry of consumer affairs and public distribution, as wanted by him.

The Congress took hold of the crucial ministries of food, telecom, and civil aviation.

The states going to polls have got a better representation, but does that impact voting in election bound states?

"I am still mystified that what exactly is the electoral connection in raising someone from MOS to the Cabinet status," said senior journalist Swapan Dasgupta.

So, what was the cabinet reshuffle about?

Unfortunately, this kind of reshuffle makes it even more difficult to effect changes few months later. Honestly I wondered why raja was not there," said CSDS Director Yogendra Yadav.

But there were some who were unhappy despite the promotion. One of them was new minister from UP Beni Prasad Verma.

And not surprisingly, the opposition is not impressed either.

"The prime minister has no answers even on the economic front," said BJP Spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussein.

Ironically Wednesday's lackluster Cabinet reshuffle has come with a promise of yet another reshuffle after the Budget Session. But will this juggling around of portfolios be able to rejig the image of UPA-II, which has been ridden with several controversies for its poor performances?