Cabinet reshuffle likely: PM to meet Sonia

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to meet United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi again on Sunday to discuss matters related to Monday's expected Cabinet reshuffle. Dr Singh had met Sonia Gandhi in this regard earlier on Saturday.

Dr Singh also met Kapil Sibal, who is presently holding the telecommunications and human resources development ministerial portfolios. It is likely that he may be relieved of some responsibility in the reshuffle.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister AK Antony, Home Minister P Chidambaram and External Affairs Minister SM Krishna are expected to retain their berths.

With Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee expressing the party's desire to retain the railways ministry, either Mukul Roy or Dinesh Trivedi -- both ministers of state -- may take charge of Rail Bhavan.

Corporate Affairs Minister Murli Deora has offered to quit and may be replaced by his son Milind Deora.

Mukherjee met DMK chief M Karunanidhi in Chennai on Saturday ahead of the proposed Cabinet reshuffle and is reported to have offered two ministerial positions to party leaders. DMK leaders A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran were forced to resign from the posts of telecom minister and textile minister respectively in the wake of the 2G scam.

Karunanidhi is believed to have told him that the DMK would take a decision on this at a later date.