CHANDIGARH, India: In a significant move on October 22, the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi has removed Mr. Arun Nehru from the post of Minister of State for Internal Security. The reshuffle of the ‘Cabinet took place amidst speculation about Mr. Nehru’s short relation ratings with the Prime Minister for several months. Great political importance is being attached to this development. Many people are speculating whether this action has followed Mr. Nehru’s desire to replace Mr, Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Minister. Another significant change that has taken place in the Cabinet is the induction of Mr. Arjun Singh as Minister for Communication. Mr. ‘Arjan Singh occupied important post of Vice President of the ruling Congress (I) and he had become fairly controversial in that post. Mr, Bhajan Lal’s inclusion in the Cabinet also put an end to the prolonged speculation about his career. The former Chief Minister of Haryana had political clout in view of the forth coming elections in the State but a very insignificant department has been allocated to ‘Mr. Bhajan Lal. He gets environment and forestry department. Mr. Rajiv Gandhi told newsmen that the induction of Mr. Arjun Singh in the Cabinet was not on the advice of Mr. P.C. Sethi. The latter had made the suggestion in a controversial interview with the Illustrated Weekly of India, The resignation of one Cabinet Minister, Mr Abdul Gafoor and four Ministers of State: Mr. B.N. Ghatiak, Mr. ‘Arun Nehru, Mr, Khurshid Allah Khan and Mr, Sits Ram Kasari ‘Was described to their nonperformance. But the description does ‘not represent the true positions in respect of the party. Mr. Arun Nehru, he has clearly lost in the political tussle that has been going on. The new ministers of the Cabinet are in the order: Mr. Agan Singh Communication; Bhajan Lal Environment and Forest; and Mr. J. Bengal Rao Industry. In another noteworthy feature of the change is the induction of Mr. N.D. Tewari in the Ministry of external affairs in place of Mr. I. Shiv Shanker who has been allowed to retain the Department of Commerce.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 31, 1986
