Madhya Pradesh CM Chouhan to expand cabinet on July 2

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet expansion will take place on Thursday (July 2), Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

This comes more than 100 days after the BJP formed the government in the state.

Chouhan flew to New Delhi on Sunday (June 29) to hold consultations with the central BJP leadership over the much-talked about cabinet expansion.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme on Wednesday, Chouhan said, “The governor will take oath today. The cabinet members will take oath tomorrow.”

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has been given the additional charge of Madhya Pradesh in view of incumbent Lalji Tandons hospitalisation.

Asked about the delay in cabinet expansion, Chouhan said, “Only amrit (elixir) comes out of manthan (churning), vish (poison) is consumed by (Lord) Shiva.”

Around 20 to 25 new members, including some former Congress MLAs who had joined the BJP in March, are likely to be inducted into the cabinet, sources in the BJP earlier said.

Chouhan took oath as chief minister for a record fourth term on March 23 this year, after Kamal Nath resigned from the top post following rebellion by nearly two dozen MLAs of the Congress. Most of the rebels were considered close to former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who quit the Congress and joined the BJP more than three months ago.

The initial mini expansion of the Chouhan cabinet took place on April 21 with the induction of five ministers, including two former Congress MLAs.

When asked about Chouhan’s announcement of cabinet expansion on Thursday, Kamal Nath told reporters, “This is for the first time in the history of the country when the cabinet expansion is taking place after such a long time. Only time will tell what was the reason for this delay and what will be its results.”

(With inputs from agencies)