New Delhi: The proposed reshuffle of the Union Cabinet this weekend is likely to be a "marginal" affair with no changes planned in key portfolios while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may retain the Rural Development Ministry ahead of the crucial Assembly polls.

Highly placed party sources said on May 19 there was little possibility of any ministers being sent back to the party for organisational work though there were demands from party's state units such as Andhra Pradesh seeking the services of Minister of State for Railways Bandaru Dattatraya for the organisation.

Though speculation is rife about Trinamool Congress leader Mamta Banerjee getting the Rural Development Ministry, a top BJP leader said his party wanted the portfolio, earlier held by party chief Venkaiah Naidu.

"With an annual budget of Rs 14,000 crore and the party's emphasis on 'gaon chalo' (go to villages), one cannot afford to give it away to another party," said a leader.

The party is also said to be happy with the performance of Arun Jaitley as Commerce Minister and is unlikely to relieve him from the Law Ministry, the sources said.

Any change in Health Ministry headed by Sushma Swaraj and Telecommunications led by Arun Shourie may also be unlikely, the sources said.

So far as Ministers of State were concerned, there may be "consequential changes", as no major assessment of performance of ministers has been undertaken after the last reshuffle, the sources said.

BJP leaders also deny any proposal so far for inducting former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, on the media speculation that Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh may be shown the door, sources close to him said that it was "wishful thinking on the part of media which quite often carried reports like this".

However, BJP sources said party chief Naidu during a recent visit to Uttar Pradesh, had received "some feedback" on Singh's reported anti-BJP campaign in Western UP.

PTI

NN