Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday held the first meeting of his 77-member council of ministers at his official residence here, days after inducting 17 new faces and elevating five to the cabinet rank in a jumbo reshuffle.
Government sources said this was the first such meeting held by the prime minister since the United Progressive Alliance returned to power in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
The meeting assumes significance as it is touted to be one in which the prime minister may give directions to his council of ministers on what they need to focus on in the remaining one-and-half years of the UPA government's tenure, ahead of the 2014 general elections.
The meeting, sources said, was held at the prime minister's official residence, 7 Race Course Road. Soon afterwards, the 32-member cabinet met separately.