Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday conducted the first expansion of the state cabinet by inducting nine Congress MLAs as ministers. The nine ministers include one women legislator. With the expansion, the strength of the Baghel cabinet has gone up to 12.
The nine ministers inducted in the cabinet are:
- A four-time MLA and the only Muslim face in the cabinet Mohammad Akbar
- The former Leader of Opposition Ravindra Choubey
- Jaisingh Agrawal
- A two-time MLA Umesh Patel
- State Congress’s Working President Shiv Kumar Daharia
- Rudra Guru
- Kawasi Lakhma
- Premsai Singh Teka
The women MLA inducted in the cabinet is-
- Anila Bhedia
The cabinet was selected by keeping in mind the region-wise and community representation. Out of the 9 ministers, Shiv Kumar Daharia and Rudra Guru belong to the Scheduled Caste community. Kawasi Lakhma and Premsai Singh Tekam belong to the tribal community.
The portfolios of the ministers are yet to be announced.
Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath to all the new ministers at the Police Parade Ground. All the nine ministers took oath in Hindi.
Bhupesh Baghel sworn in as the Chief Minister on December 17 after the Congress marked a landslide victory in the State Assembly elections by dislodging the Raman Singh-led BJP government. The Congress bagged a whopping 68 out of the total 90 seats in the state, while the BJP only managed to secure 15 seats.
The Chhattisgarh state Cabinet can stretch to a maximum of 13 ministers, including the Chief Minister.