After expansion, number of BJP members to be 13 from 11

While the expansion will take the number of BJP members in the ministry from 11 (including CM) to 13, its two allies in the government - AGP and UPPL - for now, have to remain contented with their present strength of two and one respectively in the ministry. CM's expansion announcement also did not bring good news to BPF, which has returned as BJP's supporter after severing ties before the assembly election.
The expansion will also see the second woman minister after Ajanta Neog, who is in charge of the key finance department.
On eve of the expansion, the BJP-led government bifurcated the social welfare department into "women and child welfare" and "social justice empowerment" departments.
According to the rule, the strength of the council of ministers cannot exceed 15% of the strength of the legislative assembly. Assam, which has 126 members in the assembly, cannot have more than 19 ministers, including the CM. Sarma will still have three more berths to fill up after Thursday's expansion.