Union Cabinet full of upgraded junior Ministers: Congress leader

New Delhi : Senior Congress leader S. Jaipal Reddy on Tuesday took a dig at the Modi government, saying that the Cabinet was full of upgraded junior Ministers even as middleweights were being marginalised.

"It is a wonderful government. Do you know why? Heavyweights like Murli Manohar Joshi have been eliminated. Lightweights such as Nirmala Sitharaman have been elevated and middleweights are being marginalised. The Cabinet is full of upgraded junior Ministers," Reddy told the media here.

"I am not here to upgrade them, but the problem is they do not carry conviction with the people, with the press and with the opposition."

Talking about the Rafale fighter jet deal inked with France, the former Union Minister said: "When (former Defence Minister and Congress leader) A.K. Antony says that there was no secrecy clause (in the deal), he is contradicted by present Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Whom should the country believe?

"The (political) stature counts, the standing counts. I am not saying that the standing comes only through politics. I am not questioning her... I want to repeat, I am not casting aspersions...

"I am not questioning her flair for articulation. She is quite articulate but through mere articulation, you can't carry conviction."

The Congress leader said: "If you want the country to believe you as against the words of Antony, a person with spotless (public) standing, the issue becomes totally untenable. She is being fielded to answer difficult questions to reverse the position."