New Delhi, May 6 (IANS): In a sudden move, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday divested Kapil Mishra of his Water and Tourism and Culture portfolios, and is to induct AAP legislators Rajendra Pal Gautam and Kailash Gehlot in the cabinet.
Gehlot, MLA from Najafgarh, and Gautam, MLA from Seema Puri, will be the two new faces to join the cabinet, a government source told IANS.
"Since the situation of water supply was found not to be good during the municipal elections, and several MLAs also spoke about the same problem in their constituencies, so Kapil Mishra was removed from the post," the source added.
"Gehlot has been brought in for outer Delhi's representation while Gautam was awarded the post for SC representation in the cabinet," the source added.
Kejriwal conveyed his mind about the reshuffle when he retweeted a tweet from one his followers.
"Big breaking from Delhi government, Kapil Mishra out of Kejriwal cabinet. Kailash Gehlot and Rajendra Gautam will be New Ministers," journalist Vikrant Yadav said in a tweet. Kejriwal immediately retweeted the post giving clear indications that the changes in his ministerial team were afoot.
Mishra however told reporters that he received "no official communication yet"
He also said that he had told the Chief Minister that he would not a delay in tanker scam report and would submit names of those who are involved in the delay to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Later, in a tweet, he wondered if his ouster was linked to the exposure on the tanker scam which he was scheduled to make on Sunday.
Mishra also took a jibe at Kejriwal and his ministerial colleagues like Satyendar Jain, saying that he did not favour any of his relatives or daughter.
"I am the only minister with no corruption charges. No CBI enquiry against me. I did not favour any daughter or any relative. I exposed Shiela's (Dixit) corruption," Mishra said in a tweet.
Jain, who holds the Health portfolio, was accused of nepotism charges in the appointments of his daughter Soumya Jain and Nikunj Agarwal, a relative of Kejriwal's wife, to government posts.
Mishra also denied the speculation that he would join another party.
"It (AAP) is my party. I will go nowhere and stay here (AAP)," Mishra said in another tweet.