West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to induct five new faces in her Cabinet on Wednesday. The Cabinet reshuffle takes place this afternoon.
The reshuffle is being done keeping in mind the Panchayat polls scheduled in the State in May 2013. The faces to be inducted include mostly leaders from rural constituencies and Congress rebels who have recently joined the Trinamool Congress.
According to sources, two Congress rebels – Humayun Kabir (MLA from Rejinagar in Murshidabad) and Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury (MLA from Englishbazar in Malda) – are likely to get Minister of State status.
Among the other probables, Becharam Manna (MLA from Haripal in Hooghly) – Banerjee’s key ally during the Singur anti-land acquisition movement against the Tatas’ small car project - might get a Cabinet berth.
Some of the others include Rajib Bandopadhyay (Domjur in Howrah), Giasuddin Mollah (Mograhat-West, South 24 Parganas) and Swapan Debnath (Purbasthali-West, Burdwan).
Promotions
Chandrima Bhattacharya, incumbent Minister of State for Health, is likely to get a promotion and elevated to independent status. The Health Department is headed by the Chief Minister herself.
Madan Mitra and Aroop Biswas, both currently holding minister of state with independent charge in the transport and housing departments, are likely to be elevated as Cabinet ministers.
Axed
Amongst those who are likely to be axed, Rachpal Singh might lose the tourism department and head the planning and development department.
Shyamal Mandal, Minister for Sunderbans Affairs is on a sticky wicket with the Chief Minister reportedly not being happy with his pace of work.