Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje expands cabinet, inducts 14 new Ministers

The expansion was long overdue, as the Chief Minister herself was holding 47 portfolios and had just 12 ministers in her cabinet.

Raje had inducted nine Cabinet Ministers and three Ministers of State on December 20 after she was sworn-in as Chief Minister on December 13.

According to reports, there were three women who are among the newly inducted Ministers.

The cabinet expansion will take place after ten months of being in office.

Governor Kalyan Singh administered the oath to the new expanded cabinet.

The expansion had become imminent following the departure Sanwar Lal Jat - a former MLA and minister who had won the Lok Sabha election, the Raje cabinet would have been down to just 11 ministers.

Jat could only continue in the cabinet for six months.

With his departure at the end of October, the Raje cabinet would have been down to just 11 ministers, which is below the minimum ministers required, and would have led to a constitutional crisis for her government.

As per the BJP's strength in the state assembly with 160 seats out of 200, Raje can have up to 30 ministers.

During the swearing-in ceremony of her newly inducted Ministers, CM said, "Our country will lead with youths' power that is very dedicated and honest.”

She also expressed confidence about her party, BJP’s prospects in the upcoming Jharkhand polls.

Raje said, "I am sure BJP will sweep in Jharkhand as the polls are announced yesterday, and whenever polls come in Uttar Pradesh, BJP will make government."