DMK to join UPA Government; Cabinet Expansion likely Today

24/7 News Network: Dr. Manmohan Singh is a relieved man now, with Karunanidhi's DMK formally agreed to join the government, putting all differences with the Congress into rest. DMK has agreed to 3 Cabinet Ministers and 4 MoS in the Council of Ministers. Dayanidhi Maran, MK Azhagiri and A Raja are all set to become Cabinet Ministers, while Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi may not become a Minister.

According to DMK sources, Prime Minister Dr. Singh has already accepted the list sent by the party and has invited them to join his Council of Ministers. The Cabinet expansion may be held in the evening today. However, no official announcement has been made in this regard.

Dr. Manmohan Singh and 19 other Cabinet Ministers took oath on May 22. 50 Other Ministers may take oath during the Cabinet expansion. While 7 from DMK will take oath, 6 Ministers from Trinamool Congress may be sworn-in as Ministers. From NCP, Praful Patel may become a MoS with Independent Charge, while Agatha Sangma may become a MoS.

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah may also become a Cabinet Minister. Other Ministers will be from the Congress and they will include both youth and experience. Senior Congress leaders Salman Khurshid, Beni Prasad Verma, Sriprakash Jaiswal, Prithviraj Chavan, Mukul Wasik, Jairam Ramesh, Subodh Kant Sahai, Gurudas Kamat, Bhakta Charan Das and Srikant Jena are being considered for Ministerial berths in the Council of Ministers.

Among the youth, former UN Diplomat Shashi Tharoor may get the nod, while leaders like Jitin Prasada, Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Manish Tewari and Naveen Jindal may become Ministers.