R.K. Dhawan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will undertake the first expansion of his council of ministers shortly after Parliament breaks for a recess from July 23.

A highly placed source in the government said that senior Congress Party leaders Mohsina Kidwai and Satish Sharma would get cabinet berths, while cabinet minister without portfolio and Telengana Rashtra Samiti chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao would be given the power portfolio.

Power Minister P.M. Sayeed is all set to become deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Congress Party leader R.K. Dhawan, a former Central minister, is unlikely to get a cabinet berth.

“His (Dhawan’s) name was turned down by the ruling United Progressive Alliance leadership,” the source said. Rao will be given the Power Ministry following the decision to get incumbent minister Sayeed elected to the Rajya Sabha and then as its deputy chairman,” the sources said.

Rao, whose party is a junior ally in Manmohan Singh’s government, was earlier given the shipping portfolio, but surrendered it in the wake of another ally –– the DMK –– demanding it for one of its MPs.

The expansion of the 68-member ministerial council and reshuffling of portfolios would take place between July 23 and 30.

Sayeed, a former deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha, will contest a by-election to the upper house of Parliament from Delhi.