Cabinet reshuffle leaves some ministers sulking

The reshuffle in portfolios carried out by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has apparently left some ministers unhappy as some of them today made clear their sulk through cynical remarks.

"I have forgotten that time (as a sports minister)...God has screwed my head in such a way that I can't look back and look forward."

This is how MS Gill, who has been shunted out from sports ministry to statistics and programme  implementation, reacted when asked how he looked back at his previous tenure.

Asked whether he was happy at the new portfolio being given to him, the former chief election commissioner remarked, "I don't look at any moves to study how and why or what has been done. I am not interested in all that."

Gill, who was shifted out of the sports ministry against the backdrop of attack on him over the mess in Commonwealth Games preparations, said, "It's a new day for me and I am looking forward to that."

He has been replaced by Ajay Maken, former minister of state for home affairs, who was elevated as MoS with independent charge.

While Gill was unable to hide his unhappiness, some others believed to be sulking like Kamal Nath were more diplomatic.

"I am not looking at this way. I take it as a challenge dealing with an area where huge work needs to be done," Nath said when asked whether he was feeling promoted or demoted by his movement from high profile road transport and highways ministry to urban development ministry.