Poll results may prompt a reshuffle at Centre

For winners, the day-after is always more difficult than the day of rejoicing with all eyes on the way forward.

In West Bengal it is a totally new beginning for Ms Mamata Banerjee; in Tamil Nadu Ms Jayalalithaa will on Sunday stake her claim to form the Government; and at the Centre, a fresh jigsaw puzzle will be fitted together for maximum gain. While Puducherry will prove a fertile ground for Mr N. Rangasamy, and Kerala a tough balancing of power for the Congress-led UDF, in Assam Mr Tarun Gogoi's show will go on.

In the Capital there is already talk of a Cabinet reshuffle, but with no one willing to take a guess on how soon it will happen. But the fact that UPA-II's second report-card is due on May 21, there is likelihood of the two exercises getting merged, say political observers.

In January, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, had promised a larger Cabinet rejig later in the year and this could be the right opportunity with the Government needing to refurbish its image after the string of scams that have besieged it.

The Cabinet restructuring will have a few obvious changes and maybe several others that will send out indicative signals of what the Congress would like to project before its term ends in 2014.

There will, of course, have to be a replacement for the Union Railways Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, who has categorically stated that the portfolio must remain with the Trinamool Congress. She may also press for another slot or a financial package for her State with her influence growing in the Centre.

The DMK, however, is likely to be less vociferous post the Tamil Nadu election debacle and not to forget the 2G scam.

The reshuffle at the Centre may also see some of the younger generation of ministers coming to the forefront, especially with Mr Rahul Gandhi talking of the need for new blood in decision making. Political pundits point out that many of the youngsters are influential in their own right, but have not been given a free hand in policy-making by their senior ministers.

In West Bengal, a totally different game picture is likely to be played out. Ms Banerjee, riding on sentiments and expectations of the people of the State, seems to be taking a cautious approach. She has been quick to reiterate her role as a “people's leader”, not wanting to be identified with the chief minister's ‘ kursi ' (chair). However, according to analysts, for now not only will she be the CM, but is also likely to retain the crucial ministries of home, industry, health and welfare.

The Trinamool Congress Legislature Party is slated to meet on Sunday to elect its leader. The AIADMK Legislature Party is also to meet tomorrow.

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