BHOPAL : The much-awaited expansion of council of Ministers may take place any day now. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, during his Delhi tour on Thursday, sought permission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President Amit Shah for the exercise, which was granted.
Chauhan also discussed the issue with BJP National Organisational General Secretary Ramlal. On Wednesday, he had interacted with state in-charge Vinay Sahastrabuddhe on the same issue.
Chauhan would now deliberate with BJP State President Nandkumar Singh Chauhan and Organisational General Secretary Arvind Menon on the MLAs to be inducted into the state cabinet, after which the date for cabinet expansion would be announced. The expansion would take place most probably after the Republic Day.
Chauhan also had a detailed meeting with Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in Delhi. Chauhan also flew to Jabalpur with Tomar and BJP National
Vice-President Prabhat Jha. He intends to keep his favourites in his cabinet, on the lines of political appointments made in Boards and Corporation in the recent past. He is seeking the support of the party organisation for sacking certain ministers. At the same time, there are speculations about the likely impact of cabinet expansion on Maihar Assembly bye-poll outcome.
