Raman’s new cabinet to be constituted today

Raipur, December 17

Five days after his swearing-in ceremony as chief minister of Chhattisgarh for third time, Raman Singh will constitute his new cabinet on Wednesday. As announced, the ministerial posts will be filled in two phases. Governor Shekhar Dutt will administer oath to the first lot of ministers at Rajbhavan on Wednesday evening.  

After taking approval of BJP president Rajnath Singh on proposed list of ministers, CM Raman Singh said the names had been finalised considering factors like seniority, experience, caste, region and gender.

In previous term, CM Raman Singh had 12 cabinet ministers. This time too, he said he his cabinet would be of the same size. According to information, while eight ministers are likely to take oath in the first phase, the second lot would be inducted in the cabinet after general elections.

In recent polls, seven out of 12 ministers managed to win again. Among the winners, Brijmohan Agrawal, Amar Agrawal, Rajesh Munat represent general category, Vikram Usendi, Kedar Kashyap belong to tribal community and Punnulal Mohle and Dayaldas Baghel hail from scheduled caste.

Being senior MLAs, while Brijmohan Agrawal and Amar Agrawal are set to become ministers, Rajesh Munat too would be inducted in the cabinet for his proximity with the CM.

Since Vikram Usendi and Kedar Kashyap are among the four fortunate BJPians who won elections in Bastar this time, the two would also be rewarded with ministerial posts. However, Punnulal Mohle might be the lone SC face in the cabinet as Dayaldas Baghel failed to meet CM’s expectations as a revenue minister.

With six old ministers, BJP State president Ramsewak Paikra and Ramsheela Sahu can be two new faces in the first lot of the cabinet. In previous polls, Ramsewak Paikra had lost to Dr Premsai Singh Tekam of Congress. He was then given the baton of party’s State unit on CM Raman Singh’s recommendation. Ramsheela Sahu was winner in 2003 polls but she was denied ticket in 2008. This time, she defeated Pratima Chandrakar of Congress.

Former State assembly speaker Premprakash Pandey and ex-minister Ajay Chandrakar are back with victory in 2013 polls. Pandey was said to be CM’s first preference for speaker’s post but he has reportedly demanded ministerial berth. As Chandrakar too is reluctant in taking speaker’s assignment, the CM is said to be including him in the cabinet.

It is learnt that Gaurishankar Agrawal, who has trounced Rajkamal Singhania of Congress by 27,000 votes, will be the speaker of the fourth assembly. Agrawal was not in the fray in 2008 polls.