Click to play videoNew Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's new Council of Ministers is a mixed bag. While Manmohan Singh has given some ministers new responsibilities, others continue with their earlier portfolios.
If there was one ministry where Singh didn't pay much attention in his first five years it was the creation of road infrastructure.
Now the controversial TR Baalu has made way for the result-oriented Kamal Nath as the Road Transport and Highways Minister.
"I wanted Road Transport and Highways. My portfolio will help Madhya Pradesh. I am happy with the Ministry," Nath says.
Nath's taking over the Road Transport and Highways Ministry is not the only good news in the economic sector.
A robust Anand Sharma is expected to become the new WTO negotiator as the Commerce Miniser, and Salman Khursheed is expected to gift a new lease of life to the Corporate Affairs Ministry.
GK Vasan has been able to grab shipping from a reluctant Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK).
Dayanidhi Maran may give the Ministry of Textiles a much needed facelift.
But the infrastructure and reforms ministries are not all about change as there is a degree of continuity as well.
So, Murli Deora retains petroleum, Sushil Kumar Shinde has been once again given the charge pf Power while IT and Telecom remains with A Raja and Praful Patel continues with Civil Aviation as a Minister of State with independent charge.
But Patel isn't happy
"Yes! It is coalition politics. Everything is dictated by the number you have. (I) wish that like other colleagues who were in the same rank and have been elevated I could have also got that elevation. I don't hold any grudges. I say this is coalition dharma and it will have to be followed whether one likes it or not," says Patel.
It's clear the government hesitated taking too many risks. But the message has gone out that infrastructure building is going to be the new mantra in Manmohan's second term.
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