UPA questioned over Jaipal's transfer

The UPA II government may have strategically worked out the cabinet reshuffle with the upcoming assembly and 2014 general elections in mind, but all doesn't seem to have gone well even hours into the new Cabinet assuming charge in office. The governmnet has been slammed for removal of S. Jaipal Reddy from the additional responsibility of Petroleum Ministry and shunted out to the Ministry of Science and Techology.

Petroleum Ministry sources had earlier indicated that Reddy had not given his nod to certain 'special deals' in favour of Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries for the D6 gas fields in the Krishna Godavari (KG) basin off India's east coast.

Activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that, "Jaipal Reddy is considered to be an honest man and was removed”.

"The government is conveying a message that corrupt people will be rewarded," said Kejriwal, who recently was seen exposing former Law Minister Salman Khurshid. Meanwhile, Kejriwal has alaborate plans to hold a rally in Farrukhabad demanding removal of Khurshid from the Union Cabinet.

The former Petroleum Minister S. Jaipal Reddy also remained absent from the ceremony of handing over charge to Veerappa Moily, instead his deputy RPN Singh had to see through the important transition event.

The much talked about cabinet reshuffle saw induction and change in portfolio of over 22 ministers.