Rajasthan Cabinet Expansion Likely Today; Eyes On Inclusion Of 3 MPs-Turned-MLAs

The Bharatiya Janata Party's newly formed Rajasthan government is all set for a cabinet expansion today, blending a mix of new and seasoned political figures. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's visit to Delhi to confer with the BJP high command foreshadows the anticipated cabinet expansion.

The inclusion of three MPs turned MLAs - Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Kirodi Lal Meena, and Baba Balak Nath set the stage for several potential contenders eyeing a cabinet position. Frontrunners in the race include five-time MLA Anita Bhadel and Mahant Pratap Puri from the Pokaran assembly constituency.

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Approximately 18 to 20 MLAs are expected to take oaths as ministers at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur, according to sources cited by news agency ANI. The cabinet expansion aims to create a balance between new entrants and experienced leaders, reflecting the party's strategy for effective governance.

Caste and regional equations are likely to play a pivotal role in the cabinet composition, given Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's Brahmin background. The focus will extend to ensuring representation from all regions, especially in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Social engineering will also be a key consideration to ensure diverse castes find representation in the expanded cabinet.

The current cabinet already features a Brahmin CM, with Diya Kumari from the Rajput community and Prem Chand Bairwa from the Scheduled Caste serving as deputy CMs. The anticipated expansion is expected to incorporate representation from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), constituting 35-40 per cent of the state's population. Additionally, the cabinet is likely to include MLAs from the Meena and Gurjar communities.

The delay in the cabinet formation has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including the Congress. Former CM Ashok Gehlot expressed concerns over the governance standstill due to the delay

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"Disappointment has now started spreading among the public because the people of Rajasthan gave a clear mandate to BJP on 3rd December, but even after 22 days, the cabinet has not been formed yet, due to which governance has come to a standstill. Every department is also in a state of confusion. The public is watching which ministers they should approach to solve their problems. The cabinet should be formed as soon as possible so that the functioning of the government can run smoothly," Gehlot posted on X (formerly Twitter).