India's ruling Congress party has put off a reshuffle-cum-expansion in the Council t of Ministers till Oct.15, highly placed sources said Thursday.

There was speculation about the reshuffle-cum-expansion of the Council of Ministers this week following the pull-out of the United Progressive Alliance's eastern ally, the Trinamul Congress, last week over a hike in diesel price and approval of foreign direct investment in the retail sector.

"But, now the reshuffle is likely to take place in the middle of next month. We might induct a couple of ministers from the Congress party in the eastern state of West Bengal," the sources said.

Moreover, media reports indicate that the scion of Nehru-Gandhi family, Rahul Gandhi, could make his entry as a minister in the government. The Congress has, however, not yet confirmed the reports.