Cabinet Expansion Unfolds
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet is poised for a notable expansion, with official confirmations indicating that the swearing-in ceremony will commence on Sunday
afternoon at Jan Bhavan in the state capital. This development, long anticipated, has received the green light from the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, signaling a significant moment for the state government. The Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, met with Governor Anandiben Patel on Saturday evening shortly after returning from Kolkata, where he attended the oath-taking ceremony of West Bengal's new Chief Minister. This timing suggests a coordinated approach to political developments across different states. While the exact list of individuals to be inducted was still being finalized late Saturday evening, sources within the government indicate that the expansion is geared towards strengthening the council of ministers.
Balancing Cabinet Strength
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet currently comprises 54 ministers, including the Chief Minister himself. However, the state's legislative framework permits a maximum of 60 ministers, meaning there is scope to add six more individuals. The number of new ministers taking the oath could potentially exceed six, as there's a possibility of some existing ministers being dropped to make way for new faces or to reallocate portfolios. Chief Minister Adityanath has reportedly prepared a list of potential candidates, but the final approval rests with the party's top leadership. Those selected are expected to receive their calls either late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, underscoring the urgency and strategic planning behind this expansion. All current ministers have been instructed to be present at Jan Bhavan at 3 pm for the swearing-in ceremony, followed by a crucial Cabinet meeting at Lok Bhawan, chaired by the Chief Minister.
Key Probables Emerge
Among the prominent figures likely to take oath is Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, the former state BJP president, who is rumored to be considered for the crucial power portfolio. This ministry is currently held by A.K. Sharma, an individual known to have close ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A significant factor influencing this potential change appears to be the widespread protests by electricity consumers across the state concerning smart prepaid power meters, which were allegedly leading to inflated bills. The subsequent decision by the state government to withdraw these meters might have played a role in the reconsideration of Sharma's portfolio. Another strong contender for a ministerial position is Hansraj Vishwakarma, an MLC hailing from Varanasi, the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency. Vishwakarma is recognized for his active involvement at the booth level and his participation in the Ram temple movement. His contributions during the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha election campaigns in Varanasi were specifically acknowledged by Prime Minister Modi. As a member of the OBC community, Vishwakarma is also anticipated to be assigned a significant portfolio.
Diverse Candidates Considered
The list of potential inductees also includes Manoj Pandey, a former Samajwadi Party MLA from Rae Bareli who was expelled from his party. His potential induction, however, is reportedly facing strong opposition from some senior BJP leaders and RSS functionaries. Pandey, along with other SP MLAs such as Abhay Singh, Rakesh Singh, and Pooja Pal, had previously defected from their party to support the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. Pandey, who served as a minister in the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP government from 2012 to 2017, was considered a prominent leader within his former party. Other names circulating for ministerial berths include Sitapur MLA Asha Maurya, an OBC leader; Aligarh MLA Surendra Diler, a Dalit representative; MLC Govind Narayan Shukla, a Brahmin; Fatehpur MLA Krishna Paswan, another Dalit leader; Mathura MLA and former minister Srikant Sharma; and MLC and former minister Mahendra Singh. Singh is known to have a close rapport with Chief Minister Adityanath and several key leaders within the BJP's central leadership, potentially influencing his consideration for a role.
