Dilli's obsession with the proposed Cabinet reshuffle has been shelved temporarily as Manmohan Singh and Co try to concentrate on the mounting troubles in Kashmir. But have no doubt, the gossip bazaar is only just beginning to warm up.

Dilligiri: Young faces

The expectation is that an intra-party reshuffle will precede the Cabinet reshuffle. The outcome of the reshuffle of office-bearers in the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the Congress Working Committee (CWC), all of which may happen after the party's new PCC chiefs get selected, will clearly have a bearing on the constitution of the PM's new team.

As usual, Dilli is keen to know whether in the reshuffle Rahul Gandhi will take up a Cabinet responsibility. But most of the smart money knows that with Rahul stepping out increasingly in West Bengal, Bihar, UP and now Kashmir, he just might be averse to a government position yet. If that be the case, the usual suspects will keep the gossip mills busy.

Dengue drama
Even as Dilli buckles under the strain of the Jama Masjid shooting, the inability of the authorities to contain the raging dengue epidemic in the capital may be more substantially crucial for the CWG. Worryingly, for the authorities the epidemic is expected to peak just in time for the starter's gun early next month. Already the mosquito-borne illness has struck more than 2,000 persons in the capital.

However, the dengue drama may not quite be the sideshow, as the government would fervently wish to believe. Already, acting on health advisories, at least 1,000 foreign officials and participants have dropped out.

There is every possibility, Dilliwalas fear, the mosquito may continue to claim more victims, and wreck the dreams of the Games organisers.

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