Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel to expand her ministry

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel plans to expand her council of ministers tomorrow and induct around four to five new ministers, BJP party sources said here today.

In the first cabinet expansion after taking over as the Gujarat Chief Minister from Narendra Modi in May this year, Patel is likely to induct around four to five new ministers, they said.

Gujarat Governor O P Kohli would administer the oath of office and secrecy to these new ministers at a function in Raj Bhavan tomorrow, party sources said.

The strength of the Patel's present cabinet including the Gujarat chief minister herself, is 20, after cabinet minister Ganpat Vasava resigned and became Speaker of the Gujarat state legislative assembly.

Recently, Patel had inducted five cabinet secretaries. Parliamentary Secretaries are usually considered as deputy ministers and appointed to help cabinet ministers in speeding up work of their departments.

"Two or three could be cabinet rank ministers, while the rest will be ministers of state in tomorrow's expansion," party sources said.

Names of MLA likely to be sworn-in as part of the cabinet expansion are Vijay Rupani, Mangubhai Patel, Purshottam Solanki and Jasabhai Barad, party sources said.