Madhya Pradesh cabinet expansion: 28 ministers takes oath; 11 from OBC category

Madhya Pradesh cabinet expansion: In a significant political development in Madhya Pradesh, Governor Mangubha C Patel administered the oath to 28 ministers, including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and his deputies Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla from the BJP.

Former Union Minister Prahlad Patel and BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya were among the 28 sworn in, 18 of whom secured cabinet berths, reported news agency PTI. The remaining 10 ministers will hold positions as Ministers of State. Notably, the new cabinet comprises only five women, despite the BJP's prior emphasis on women's empowerment and the 'Ladli Behna Yojana' spearheaded by ex-Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

A prominent feature of the new cabinet is the inclusion of 11 members from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, indicating the BJP's concerted efforts to balance caste equations ahead of the upcoming elections. The delayed announcement of Mr. Yadav's appointment as Chief Minister was perceived as part of the BJP's strategic maneuvers. Notable figures among the sworn-in ministers include Nirmala Bhuria, Narayan Singh Kushwaha, and Nagar Singh Chouhan, with Ms. Bhuria previously serving as the junior Health Minister and Mr. Kushwaha as the junior Home Minister.

Furthermore, tribal leader Sampatiya Uikey, along with Vijay Shah, Karan Singh Verma, Rakesh Singh, and Uday Pratap Singh, joined the new cabinet. Noteworthy additions also encompass Pradhuman Singh Tomar, Tulsi Ram Silawat, Govind Singh Rajput, and Aidal Singh Kansana, all of whom had supported ex-Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia's departure from the Congress in 2020.

These appointments mark the initial steps in establishing a state government following the recent election results. Chief Minister Yadav had previously emphasized the absence of urgency in forming the new cabinet, stating that it would be established in due course.

The selection of Madhya Pradesh's new ministers followed extensive deliberations within the upper echelons of the BJP's central leadership, under the guidance of party chief JP Nadda. The BJP's resounding victory in last month's election, securing 163 seats in the 230-seat assembly, was a significant triumph, overpowering most exit polls' predictions of a close contest with the Congress, which secured only 66 seats compared to its previous tally of 114. Additionally, the BJP triumphed over the Congress in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, states previously under Congress rule.

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