Union Environment and Forests Minister Jayanthi Natarajan on Saturday resigned from her post to devote her time for party, triggering speculations that more Union ministers could be drafted to the Congress in view of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. “I expressed my desire to work for the party in view of the Lok Sabha elections, at what level is for the high command to decide,” she said.
Natarajan’s resignation was accepted by President Pranab Mukherjee as advised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister M Veerappa Moily will hold additional charge of the Environment and Forests Ministry following Natarajan’s exit.
Following an electoral drubbing of the Congress in the just-concluded Assembly elections, talks about a shake up in the party started gaining grounds. Sources in the party suggest more Union ministers will be asked to quit their posts to look after party affairs.
Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Home R P N Singh, Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot and Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia may also be drafted into the party.
Ramesh is one of the members of the party’s election coordination committee, constituted by the Congress president on November 15 last year. He was recently made convener of a special group that will serve as secretariat of the Congress’ election coordination committee.