Chhattisgarh Cabinet expansion: Nine BJP MLAs sworn in as Ministers

Chhattisgarh Cabinet expanded with 9 MLAs, including a woman, taking its strength to 12. BJP won 54 seats in Assembly polls.

Nine ministers were on December 22 inducted into the Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai-led cabinet in Chhattisgarh, taking its strength to 12.

Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan administered oath of office and secrecy to nine MLAs, including a woman lawmaker, during a function held in Raipur at Raj Bhavan.

Two deputy Chief Ministers — Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma — had earlier taken oath on December 13 when Vishnu Deo Sai was sworn in as the Chief Minister.

The lawmakers who took oath on December 22 include eight-term MLA Brijmohan Agrawal, senior party leaders and former Ministers Ramvichar Netam, Kedar Kashyap and Dayaldas Baghel.

IAS-turned-politician OP Choudhary, Tank Ram Verma and Laxmi Rajwade, all first-time MLAs, and second-time legislators Shyam Bihari Jaiswal and Lakhanlal Dewangan have also been appointed as ministers.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, his predecessor Bhupesh Baghel and Assembly Speaker Raman Singh were present on the occasion.

After this expansion, the cabinet has six members belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), three from the Scheduled Tribes, one from the Scheduled Caste and two from the general category. Rajwade is the only woman member in the cabinet.