West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announces Cabinet expansion; 35 ministers to be sworn in at Nabanna

KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday announced a major expansion of his government, with 35 ministers set to be inducted into the state government during an oath-taking ceremony scheduled for Monday.The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at Nabanna, at 11 am on Monday.Adhikari said, "Tomorrow, a full-fledged Council of Ministers of the elected nationalist government will be formed by the verdict of the people of West Bengal. For the purpose of expanding the Council of Ministers, 35 ministers of the West Bengal government will take their oaths at Nabanna at 11 am. His Excellency the Governor Shri R. N. Ravi will administer their oaths at Nabanna."Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders are expected to be assigned key portfolios in the expanded Cabinet.The expansion comes weeks after the state Cabinet approved the formation of two commissions to investigate institutional corruption and atrocities against women.On May 18, the Cabinet cleared the constitution of both commissions, which will be headed by retired judges of the Calcutta high court and are scheduled to begin functioning from June 1.Speaking on the Cabinet's decision, the chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari, said, "The Cabinet has approved the constitution of a Commission against Institutional Corruption, which will be headed by retired Kolkata High Court judge, Justice Biswajeet Basu. The Cabinet also approved a Commission for atrocities against women. This will be chaired by retired Justice Samapti Chatterjee."The chief minister said the move reflects the government's commitment to transparency and the protection of citizens' rights."Both the commissions will begin work from June 1," he said.(With Agency Inputs)