Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has undertaken the routine exercise of calling up the ministers who will be inducted in his cabinet on Thursday, even though the allocation of ministerial portfolios has not been finalised.
The first person on the PM's calling list was senior Congress leader G K Vasan, who received the call at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday.
Dr Singh also called up Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam leader Dayanidhi Maran and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah.
After congratulating them, the PM invited them to attend the oath-taking ceremony that will take place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at 11.30 am on Thursday. Congress president Sonia Gandhi also called up these leaders to congratulate them.
The allocation of ministerial portfolios is expected to be completed by Wednesday evening.
The exercise of the prime minister calling up the future ministers and asking them to be present at the swearing-in ceremony is part of routine protocol.
