Chhattisgarh: 3 more ministers in cabinet expansion

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh is all set to expand his cabinet on Friday, with the likely induction of three more ministers into the 18-months-old ministry.
State governor Balram Das Tandon will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the newly inducted ministers at a simple function at Raj Bhawan, an official spokesman said.
Indications are that tribal leader Mahesh Gagda, who represents Bijapur (ST) assembly seat in tribal Bastar region, could be inducted into the ministry.Besides, Bhaiyalal Rajwade, who represents Baikunthpur assembly segment in Koriya district, could also find a berth in the ministry. Another name doing rounds is of Dayaldas Baghel, who represents Navagarh (SC) assembly segment in Durg district.
Mahesh Gagda and Bhaiyalal Rajwade had served as parliamentary secretaries during the previous tenure of Raman Singh government. BJP sources say that their induction into the ministry would take care of regional balance of tribal Bastar region in down South and Surguja region in North Chhattisgarh.
Earlier, there were intense speculations about the possibility of a re-shuffle of the cabinet but it died down later. Chief minister Raman singh, during his recent visit to Delhi, discussed cabinet expansion with BJP president Amit Shah.
It is not immediately clear whether Singh could go for a major reshuffle of portfolios, particularly in the wake of criticism against senior ministers in the recent past.
It is not immediately clear whether Singh could go for a major reshuffle of portfolios, particularly in the wake of criticism.