Last Update: January 07, 2023, 20:20 IST
There has been a lot of speculation over the names of the new ministers since Sukhu and his deputy Mukesh Agnihotri took oath nearly a month ago after the Congress victory in the assembly elections. Sworn in about a month ago after the victory of the Congress in the assembly elections (Twitter)
The expansion is possible on Sunday or later, he told reporters after his return from Delhi, where he held discussions with top party leaders on inducting new ministers.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said on Saturday that he has handed over the list of probables for cabinet expansion to the Congress high command for approval.
The expansion is possible on Sunday or later, he told reporters after his return from Delhi, where he held discussions with top party leaders on inducting new ministers.
There has been a lot of speculation about the names of the new ministers ever since Sukhu and his deputy Mukesh Agnihotri were sworn in nearly a month ago after the Congress’ victory in the assembly elections.
Sukhu said the list has been submitted to the high command and it will be expanded only after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge clears the list.
If the cabinet expansion does not happen on Sunday, it will happen after January 12 as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is scheduled to leave for Goa tomorrow.
There are 10 vacancies in the Council of Ministers as the total number of ministers in Himachal Pradesh cannot exceed 12, including the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister.
The Congress faces an uphill task because of the aspirations of various regions, castes and factions for representation. He will also have to strike a balance while including old and new faces.
A party source said three of the 12 districts have been given representation — Sukhu from Hamirpur, Agnihotri from Una and five-time MLA from Bhatiyat Kuldeep Pathania, who is from Chamba, is the Assembly Speaker.
A minister is expected from the tribal areas of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur. Kangra and Shimla, which have ten and seven Congress MLAs, are expected to be given a share in the cabinet.
The Congress won 40 of the 68 assembly seats, including four each in Una, Solan and Hamirpur, three in Sirmaur, two each in Chamba and Kullu, and one each in Mandi, Bilaspur, Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts. Key’s.
Sukhu had said that the cabinet would be expanded in consultation with the high command and would have a mix of professionals, youth and representatives from different sections.
Former ministers and several second- and third-time MLAs are among the ministerial aspirants.
The party also has to reconcile the claims of two factions led by Sukhu and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh.
Frontrunners include Chander Kumar, former minister and former Lok Sabha member from Jawali in Kangra, and Dhani Ram Shandil, the oldest MLA from Solan, who is also a former minister and former Lok Sabha member.
Former minister Sudhir Sharma from Dharamshala in Kangra, six-time MLA Harshvardhan Chauhan from Shillai in Sirmaur, former deputy speaker Jagat Singh Negi from Kinnaur, former chief minister Virbhadra Singh’s son Vikramaditya Singh and four-time MLA from Jubbal-Kotkhai Rohit Thakur, who is the grandson of former chief minister Ram Lal Thakur, are also among the top contenders.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)