Other States - Himachal Pradesh   

Virbhadra may induct two more ministers

SHIMLA: In an apparent bid to maintain caste and regional balance, Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has hinted that he might fill two vacancies in his Cabinet in the next few days.

Mr. Sujan Singh Pathania, a Rajput leader from Kangra, is likely to be sworn in on Wednesday and another MLA, Chandresh Kumari, who has served earlier as Health Minister, might be inducted later.

The unceremonious exit of Tourism and Transport Minister G. S. Bali this past weekend has created a vacancy in the Cabinet. The powerful Minister from Kangra had to resign after he was shown by a TV news channel allegedly dancing with some call girls during his birthday party. The other vacancy was caused by the resignation of Vijay Singh Mankotia. He has now joined the Bahujan Samaj Party and was proclaimed the Chief Ministerial candidate by party leader Mayawati at a rally in Kangra recently.

The State unit of the BJP, meanwhile, has demanded that an FIR be registered against Mr. Bali, who was known as a close confidant of the Chief Minister. Party general secretary K. R. Balnatha charged that he had been engaging in such activities for long.

The State secretary of the Centre of Trade Unions, Kashmir Thakur, said: “He has no right to remain even as an MLA now.” Mr. Thakur has also demanded an enquiry and removal of some senior officials who are reportedly very close to the Chief Minister’s office and were allegedly present at Mr. Bali’s birthday bash.

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Virbhadra may induct two more ministers

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