Manmohan Reshuffle his cabinet today

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will juggle his team on Wednesday. Will young faces push out heavyweights?

This the first reshuffle in UPA II and comes in the backdrop of a sharp decline in its image.

While the vacancies caused by exit of Prithviraj Chavan, Shashi Tharoor will be filled, its the performance quotient which will be the key. Sources indicate that some ministers who failed to reach the mark will be replaced some could be sent packing to the organisation.

Names of those likely to be dropped which are doing rounds are Veerbhadra Singh, Kantilal Bhuria, CP Joshi. Some who are in-charge of more than one portfolio like Kapil Sibal, Narainswamy may give up one.

Sibal is likely to retain telecom while question mark remains over HRD and science and technology.

Some like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kamlanath could make it to the organisation.

But the big story could emerge out from the NCP. Praful Patel could get a cabinet rank. A long standing demand from his party Sharad Pawar who is under fire over rising food prices and who has expressed a desire to give up one portfolio could finally have his way.

In that case KV Thomas could be made MOS independent charge. But other allies like the DMK and Trinamool are making no demands preferring to concentrate on elections in their states later this year.

Uttar Pradesh - Rahul's battle zone could also get more attention. Salman Khursheed is likely to be given cabinet rank and there is talk of him being shifted to law ministry.

Beni Prasad Verma is another name which is doing the rounds.

Congress sources say states like Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Kerala and Assam which are going to polls are likely to get greater attention.

Ministers who are under scanner over several controversies like Vilasrao Deshmukh, MS Gill have a reason to be worried.

Its a reshuffle which has not come easy regional, political and coalition balances needed to be kept in mind. And so also the aspirations of many congress leaders and some ministers as well some of whom were going slow uncertain of their fate.

The fact that the UPA is under siege and opposition is breathing down its neck has also been kept in mind. Because Prime Minister and Sonia realise that only a strong team in the party and government can fight the Opposition.