Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expanded his council of ministers on Thursday, inducting two cabinet ministers and four state ministers in a significant reshuffle. The expansion aims to strengthen the state government's administrative machinery ahead of the upcoming elections.
New Cabinet Ministers
The two new cabinet ministers include a senior leader from the OBC community and a prominent face from the Brahmin community, ensuring caste balance in the government. The state ministers inducted are from various regions, reflecting the government's focus on inclusive representation.
List of New Ministers
- Cabinet Ministers: Surya Pratap Shahi (Education portfolio) and Anupama Jaiswal (Women and Child Development).
- State Ministers: Rakesh Sachan, Sanjay Singh, and two others whose portfolios are yet to be assigned.
Political Significance
The expansion comes after a gap of several months and is seen as a move to energize the party cadre. Political analysts believe the reshuffle will help the BJP consolidate its support base among different communities. The new ministers are expected to take charge of their departments immediately.
The cabinet expansion also includes the induction of a minister from the backward caste category, which aligns with the party's strategy to retain OBC votes. The move has been welcomed by party workers who see it as a step towards better governance.
Reactions
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the new team will work tirelessly for the development of Uttar Pradesh. Opposition parties, however, criticized the expansion, calling it a mere political exercise. The Samajwadi Party and Congress have questioned the timing of the reshuffle, alleging that it is aimed at diverting attention from the government's failures.
With the induction of these six ministers, the total strength of the Yogi Adityanath cabinet now stands at 52, which is the maximum allowed under the state's constitutional provisions. The expansion is expected to give a fillip to the government's performance in key sectors like education, health, and infrastructure.
