Congress core committee to discuss food bill, cabinet reshuffle

The Congress core committee is likely to meet Friday to discuss the current political situation, including the passage of the food security bill and a likely cabinet reshuffle, a party source said.

"Congress core committee will meet this evening to discuss the current political situation and ways and means of passing the food security bill," the source said.

After the cabinet deferred the food ordinance Thursday, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chief Sonia Gandhi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the ways and means to pass the bill.

Though the cabinet was all set Thursday to take up an ordinance to give effecct to the provisions of the nbill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh deferred it, saying many political parties had suggested a debate on the bill  in parliament.

He also deputed Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Parliamentary Affairs  Minister Kamal Nath and Food Minister K.V. Thomas to hold fresh consultations with the opposition parties to evolve a consensus on the bill, which aims to provide subsided foodgrains to 67 percent of India's population.

There is also speculation in the party about a likely cabinet reshuffle and of organisational changes.