Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's trip to New Delhi has increased. After meeting prime minister Narendra Modi early this week, he met home minister Amit Shah and organisation General Secretary BL Santosh raising speculations of a possible cabinet expansion.
It's been little more than one and a half years since Bhajan Lal has taken over as chief minister. But there has been no reshuffle or cabinet expansion since then. Currently there are 23 ministers including the chief minister in Bhajan Lal Sharma cabinet.
There are still vacancy for 7 more ministers as per the rule of having the maximum ministerial strength to 15% of the total 200 legislatures in the assembly.
“Bhajan Lal Sharma may reshuffle ministries between existing ministers and can also drop ministers showing below average or poor performance. Sharma is likely to induct fresh faces in the cabinet – most likely from Jat and other OBC communities,” said a senior BJP leader.
The cabinet reshuffle will have aftereffects of ‘unceremonial' exit of former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar, a Jat leader belonging to Rajasthan.
Experienced hands may get chance
There are also chances to give chance to leaders of Vasundhara Raje camp who were ignored during formation of rhe government. Among them Pushpendra Singh Ranawat stands good chance, leaders from western Rajasthan will also get a good look during selections. From scheduled caste category, Anita Bhadel, who had been minister in Raje cabinet also stands good chance. Then there is Srichand Kriplani who can also get a look for ministerial berth.
Since Rajasthan government has recently appointed Arun Chaturvedi as the chairman of finance commission, chances of any new Brahmin face in the cabinet looks bleak.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
