The Hindu : National : Shivraj Singh likely to expand, reshuffle Cabinet

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Friday, Aug 24, 2007
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Shivraj Singh likely to expand, reshuffle Cabinet

Induction of seven new ministers expected

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan appears all set to expand and reshuffle his Cabinet this weekend by inducting as many as seven new faces and upgrading the portfolios of some ministers.

Facing pressure from State party leaders, including MLAs, Mr. Chauhan held several rounds of talks with senior leaders both at the Central and State levels on the issue before getting the nod from the BJP’s central leadership.

Sources said a regional balance of ministers was inevitable as State Assembly elections are barely a year away.

The decks were cleared for the much awaited expansion and reshuffle of the Cabinet on Wednesday after Mr. Chauhan met top BJP leaders in Delhi, including party chief Rajnath Singh and L. K. Advani.

This would be the first expansion of Mr. Chauhan’s Cabinet since he took over the reins from Babulal Gaur nearly two years go. There are nine vacancies in the Cabinet.

Sources, however, indicated that Mr. Chauhan might induct only seven ministers while upgrading the portfolios of some ministers. He may keep two ministerial berths vacant, apparently to check dissidence.

Mr. Chauhan has already ruled out the possibility of having two Deputy Chief Ministers and of replacing Speaker Ishwardas Rohani. --PTI

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