Rajasthan ministers resign en masse; reshuffle soon

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Cabinet resigned en masse on Tuesday to make way for a revamped administration amid the political storm following a series of recent controversies, including the alleged role of a minister in kidnapping and suspected murder of health worker Bhanwari Devi.

The collective resignation of ministers will enable chief minister Ashok Gehlot to carry out the impending reshuffle and weed out tainted ministers. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting chaired by Ashok Gehlot. There were 12 Cabinet ministers and 13 ministers for state. However, three ministers, which include tourism minister Bina Kak, minister of state for khadi and village industries Golma Devi and forest minister Ram Lal Jat, skipped the meeting.

"We express our confidence in the leadership of Ashok Gehlot. The decision of collective resignation is unanimous. Now the high command will decide about the ministerial berths on the basis of performance," said Shanti Dhariwal, after tendering his resignation. He said the revamped Cabinet will help in putting an end to the uncertainty looming large over the state politics.

The resignations are seen as a face saving exercise for Gehlot government, which failed to control its own ministers' moral conduct. They are not only facing corruption charges but also have allegations of kidnapping and murder.

The lacuna on the administrative front was evident in the recent Gopalgarh riots where 10 Meos were killed in police firing following the communal clashes. Gehlot is likely to meet the high command on Wednesday to discuss the new shape of his Cabinet. The new Cabinet may induct few new faces while showing doors to the tainted ministers like food and supply minister Babul Lal Nagar and estate minister Bharosi Lal Jatav who are facing corruption charges.

At the same time, the Congress high command will have to induct ministers from Jat and minority community to strike a balance. The high command, while retaining other Jat ministers, will have to induct at least two fresh Jat faces to replace sacked minister Mahipal Maderna and Ram Lal Jat.

There is likelihood of health minister Durru Miyan being elevated as deputy chief minister and induction of Kaman MLA Zahida in the Cabinet to compensate with the former minister of state for rural development and waqf board Amin Khan, who had resigned for his comments on President Pratibha Patil in February.

This will appease the minority community in state which is said to be irked with Gehlot government's handling of Gopalgarh riots. It will help Congress score points in the upcoming UP elections. Gehlot, in his last term also, had a deputy chief minister in Kamla from Jat community