Caste balance forces Shivraj Singh Chouhan to expand ministry

Just a month ahead of the assembly election announcement in Madhya Pradesh, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday expanded his council of ministers by inducting three BJP MLAs as ministers.

Seven-time Balaghat MLA and president of state backward commission, Gaurishankar Bisen, and four-time Rewa MLA Rajendra Shukla took oath as cabinet ministers while Khargapur MLA Rahul Lodhi took oath as minister of state.

With the expansion, the total number of ministers in the state went up to 34, including CM Chouhan. The new ministers will get only a month and a half to work till the model code of conduct kicks in.


The expansion, which was earlier planned for Thursday, got delayed due to discussion on names to be included in the council of ministers.