New Delhi: An expansion of the Union Council of Ministers is likely to take place in the first week of next month in which former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah may be inducted.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee may undertake the exercise of restructuring his ministry ahead of the Budget session of Parliament beginning from the last week of February, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources said.

Another possible induction is Trinamool Congress leader Mamta Banerjee. However, the problem was said to be one of portfolio for her as she is believed to be keen on Railways, which is now with Samata Party leader Nitish Kumar, the sources said.

BJP general secretary Rajnath Singh, who heads the committee to make recommendations on the Kelkar panel report on direct and indirect taxes, may be inducted into the Cabinet, the sources said.

Coal Minister Uma Bharti and Minister of State for Personnel Vasundhare Raje are likely to quit the government to enable them devote more time for party work in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively, where Assembly elections are due yearend.

Bharti is BJP's candidate for the Chief Ministership in Madhya Pradesh while Vasundhare, who has been appointed as Rajasthan state unit president, is the candidate for the post in that state.

Another minister who is likely to make way is Raman Singh, who has been appointed president of the Chattisgarh unit of the party, where also Assembly elections are due.

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) is also likely to get a berth in Cabinet expansion following the re-entry of the party into NDA, the sources said.

The expansion is being slated for next month for by then the health condition of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and minister Murasoli Maran, who is undergoing treatment in USA, would be known, the sources said.

PTI