Title - Cong bets on new faces for revival

With Jats on warpath and Muslims openly accusing the Congress government of foul play, there is a talk of accommodating some new faces from these communities in the Union Cabinet to douse their ire and help the state unit regain lost ground ahead of the elections

Party looks to elevate leaders of communities which have been at loggerheads with it in the past in order to woo them ahead of the 2013 Assembly elections Abhishek Gaur

At a time when the national capital is abuzz with speculation over the reshuffle in the Union Cabinet, there are strong rumours that politics of appeasement can come into play and could propel fresh faces from Rajasthan for a ministerial berth in UPA government.

With Jats on warpath and Muslims openly accusing the Congress government of foul play, there is a talk of accommodating some new faces from these communities in the Union Cabinet to douse their ire and help the state unit regain lost ground ahead of the elections

Among the top contenders is Jyoti Mirdha, MP from Nagaur, who can be given an important portfolio in this reshuffle. Mirdha is being seen a potential leader whose elevation will not only appease Jat community but also strengthen Congress party in Marwar region, especially after the another Jat stalwart Mahipal Maderna was caught in an embarrassing kidnapping-cum-murder scandal in state.

Senior leaders are of the view that Mirdhas and Madernas have a long political legacy and party is left with no options to bank on them to reap the benefits especially in absence of any reliable Jat leader.

Second in the row is Ashk Ali Tak, Rajya Sabha member who can also get an important portfolio in the Union cabinet. The move will be yet another appeasement exercise for minority community post Gopalgarh and Surwal incidents. Party is wary of growing resentment in the minority community against the state government over Gopalgarh issue and has felt its repercussion in Uttar Pradesh.

CP Joshi, another powerful leader from Mewar has already been given the additional charge of railways ministry, one of the important portfolios never been managed by any Congress leaders in past eight years. Senior leaders are of the view that Joshi will continue with Railway ministry as party will like to keep the ministry with them in wake of forthcoming elections. Besides Joshi has impressed one and all with his work in the previous ministries he handled.

Leaders like Sachin Pilot, Bhanwar Jiteendra Singh, Namo Narayan Meena and Anand Sharma are close to top leadership and are expected to continue with their work without any disturbance.

However Mahadeo Singh Khandela, state minister of tribal affairs, can come in direct line of fire. “Party will always prefer to replace a Jat leader by another Jat leader. So if Jyoti Mirdha makes an entry, chances are fair that Khandela will have to make an exit,” said a senior Congress leader.

Anand Sharma, a Rajya Sabha leader from Rajasthan and one of the senior leaders in Congress party and won’t be disturbed. Sharma is a well-known political figure at the Centre and hold the commerce portfolio in the UPA