Rahul Gandhi not in cabinet

It became clear that Rahul Gandhi will not join the Union Cabinet as he did not figure among the 19 ministers sworn in on Friday.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh had publically stated that he was keen on having Rahul in his ministerial team but the AICC general secretary has been reluctant to take up a position in the cabinet and voiced preference for party work.

"I have made up my mind and you will soon come to know about it," said Rahul. He insisted that he would like to concentrate on strengthening the front organisations of the party for which he had drawn up plans.

The ministers sworn in today did not include any of the young faces from the so called "Rahul Brigade" but they are expected to be inducted after next Tuesday's ministerial expansion.

Whether Rahul himself would become minister at that time is still being speculated upon.