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Mamata's insistence on railways
creates complications for PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Sunday held another round of discussions with some of his senior colleagues on the cabinet reshuffle and expansion after a meeting with Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, who is understood to be keen on getting back the railway portfolio.

The Trinamool leader, who flew in here on Monday morning and had a 40-minute meeting with the prime minister, told reporters later that she had "political discussions" with him.

Later, a 90-minute meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenhand Advani, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and Defence Minister and NDA convenor George Fernandes was held to finalise the reshuffle. Another round of discussions was slated for late night.

It is understood that two PMK representatives - N T Shanmugham and A K Murthy - may be inducted into the Union council of ministers, while around five ministers, including Maneka Gandhi and C P Thakur may be dropped.

The fate of Urban Development Minister Ananth Kumar appears uncertain with plans to move him to the party being reconsidered.

PTI

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