First cabinet expansion of Raman Singh government tomorrow

RAIPUR: The first Cabinet expansion of the 18-month-old Raman Singh government in Chattisgarh will take place tomorrow.

The oath taking ceremony will be held on the Raj Bhawan premises at 11 AM, an official here said.

Chief Minster Raman Singh had met BJP president Amit Shah in New Delhi on May 17 and is believed to have got the nod for probables in the expansion move.

However, Singh and party state chief Dharamlal Kaushi held meeting with minsters, MLAs and senior party leaders this afternoon where final nod was given to the exercise.

Meanwhile, there was no clarity yet on the number of new ministers to be inducted in the cabinet.

A senior party leader, however, said the figure would not go beyond three.

Two-time MLA from the insurgency-hit Bijapur constituency and a young face Mahesh Gagda, former cabinet minister and MLA from Nawagarh (SC) seat Dayaldas Baghel and veteran party leader and MLA from Baikunthpur constituency Bhaiyalal Rajwade were leading the race for ministerial berths.

Besides, six-seven MLAs would also take oath as parliamentary secretaries during a ceremony tomorrow at Chief Minister official residence in the evening, the leader added.