From 50 Years Ago: Cabinet Reshuffle.

The gaps left in the Cabinet by the resignat ion of Shri T T Krishnamachari and the death of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad were so wide that a reshuffle of the Cabinet was certainly on the cards... All speculation has now been laid to rest with the announcement of the composition of the new Cabinet. The most important changes are, of course, the assumption of the Finance portfolio by Shri Morarji Desai...There is still a gap left, however, for no Minister of Cabinet rank has yet been appointed for Education...

The most important of the changes being the transfer of Shri Morarji Desai from Commerce and Industry to Finance, the first question that arises is that of the future of this Ministry. It is a Ministry that has wrecked many reputations, not because the past incumbents were lacking in ability or expertise but because – at least so it appears in retrospect – they lacked the unreserved support of the party which is necessary above all for a successful Finance Minister. That support none of the previous incumbents enjoyed to the fullest measure. Shri Morarji will have it in plenty, whatever his other troubles might be.