Bhopal: Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Cabinet expansion today

Bhopal: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will expand his cabinet for second time on Saturday. Governor Anandiben Patel will administer oath to the new cabinet members at a function to be held at Raj Bhawan at 9.30 am. At present, state cabinet has 29 members including Chouhan while six posts are vacant.

According to sources, three ministers will be administered oath of office in the upcoming cabinet expansion. Gwalior MLA Narayan Singh Kushwaha may be inducted, considering that by-polls are to be held in Mungaoli and Kolaras assembly constituencies. MLA Balkrishna Patidar is also being considered in view of resentment prevailing among Patidars after farmers’ agitation.

Narsinghpur MLA Jalam Singh Patel is sure to get a place in the cabinet, sources said. Patel is younger brother of Damoh MP Prahlad Singh Patel. The upcoming cabinet expansion, featuring induction of Lodhi, Kachi and Patidar communities, is being seen as a ploy to turn caste equations in BJP’s favour.

On Friday, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a meeting with state president Nandkumar Singh Chouhan and organisation general secretary Suhas Bhagat at CM House in the morning. After disappointing outcome in Rajasthan elections for BJP, the party wants to improve caste based equations in the constituencies where by-polls are to be held.

Meanwhile, Congress party has lodged a complaint with chief electoral officer Salina Singh stating that chief minister’s announcement on cabinet expansion is violation of model code of conduct. A delegation led by state Congress president Arun Yadav met Salina Singh and urged her to stop cabinet expansion.

In New Delhi, MPs Jyotiraditya Scindia and Vivek Tankha filed a complaint before Election Commission. They claimed that the government is violating code of conduct by wooing candidates on basis of caste and region. Taking cognisance, the Commission has asked state government to submit reply.