New Delhi Amid speculation of a rejig in both the party and the United Progressive Alliance government in order to gear up for the 2014 political battle, five Congress ministers have reportedly offered to quit to strengthen the party.
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p> The ministers include Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Law & Justice and Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vyalar Ravi and Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office V. Narayanasamy . Both Salman Khurshid and V. Narayanasamy have reportedly offered to quit saying ‘the party came first’. Speaking to news channel, Khurshid refused to directly comment on the report. He said, ‘Party comes first, party makes the government, government does not make the party. All people must be rooted in the party… party cannot ever can take a second position.’Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said he has been asked by the party high command to look into Andhra Pradesh affairs since general secretary in charge of the state Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is the health minister, is busy. Azad too has reportedly offered to step down, sources said.
Another minister who has reportedly offered to move to the party is Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, who is considered a strategist. Ramesh had quit as minister in 2008 before Lok Sabha elections to work for the party. He has handled the Congress election manifesto and could be a very important person when next Lok Sabha election takes place.
Signalling a big change in the party structure in the near future, five senior Congress ministers Jairam Ramesh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Salman Khurshid, V Narayanasamy and Vyalar Ravi have offered to quit and expressed desire to work for the party.
