CM’s son creates stir, says rejig Cabinet, if must

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 29

Even though Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has been maintaining that the possibility of a reshuffle in the Cabinet cannot be ruled out, his son and state Youth Congress president Vikramaditya today created a stir by demanding that the performance of ministers and MLAs must be reviewed as the Congress regime had completed three years.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said the State Youth Congress has already started working towards Mission Repeat 2017. “It is in this regard that the Youth Congress will prepare the report card of all the party legislators and submit it to the party,” he stated.

“Whatever steps are necessary to send the right signal to the public about the Congress regime in the state must be taken,” he remarked. He said if necessary, there should be a reshuffle in the Cabinet to give chance to new faces or the portfolios of ministers could be changed even though this remains the prerogative of the Chief Minister.

There has been a lot of speculation about a possible reshuffle in the Cabinet and some younger MLAs being inducted but so far Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has been non-committal on the issue.

The speculation gained ground after the high command convened a meeting of the extended Core Committee of state Congress leaders in New Delhi to placate the dissident MLAs.

Vikramaditya also said that at least two to four youth leaders must be given Assembly ticket so as to build up the second rung leadership within the party.

“All these issues were discussed at the monthly meeting of the Youth Congress and it was felt that in case there is resentment against the sitting Congress MLA or the defeated candidate, then new faces must be promoted,” he said.

He said the Youth Congress would organise a Mahasammelan in Mandi, where there will be interaction with Panchayat representatives.