Samajwadi Party's denials notwithstanding, talk has gained ground about a possible reshuffle of the union council of ministers to accommodate members of the UPA's latest entrant.

In Congress circles, speculation is rife about who could be dropped from the government to accommodate SP leaders because the size of the ministry is already big and almost near the constitutional limit.

The SP, which recently came out to back the government on the Indo-US nuclear deal in Parliament, has more than 30 members and is said to be keen on ministerial berths to take on the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh.

While the allies of the Congress have been given portfolios as per a formula based on their strength, in the new scenario it would be difficult for the Congress to have a fresh formula to accommodate SP.

This could result in some Congress ministers losing their berths in order to make way for the Mulayam Singh Yadav-party.

However, SP General Secretary Amar Singh said in Kolkata that his party has not received any proposal from Congress for joining the UPA government nor has it given any proposal in this regard.

In case a reshuffle takes place, then the possibility of inducting JMM chief Shibu Soren also looks bright.