Bhopal: After the Madhya Pradesh by-election, the much-awaited cabinet expansion of BJP’s Shivraj government took place on Sunday. In a dignified and brief ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office and secrecy to former ministers Tusli Silavat and Govind Singh Rajput. After which once again, both the pro-Scindia MLAs joined the Shivraj cabinet. On this occasion Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and members of his cabinet, BJP state president Vishnudutt Sharm, state assembly protem speaker Rameshwar Sharma, chief secretary Iqbal Singh Bais, including administrative officers and dignitaries were present.
It is worth mentioning that in March 2020 last year, 22 Congress MLAs of former Union Minister and senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned from their legislature and joined BJP. These also included Tulsiram Silavat and Govind Singh Rajput. After the re-formation of BJP government in the state, Shivraj Singh Chauhan had included Tusli Silavat and Govind Singh Rajput in the first cabinet expansion after taking oath as Chief Minister. But they were to be re-legislators in six months as per the constitutional provisions, but due to Corona, the by-elections were held six months later, due to which both had to resign as ministers on October 21.
But in the recent Madhya Pradesh by-election, both the leaders won by an overwhelming majority. Govind Singh Rajput was elected on BJP ticket from Surkhi Assembly seat and Tulsiram Silavat Sanvar. After this, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has re-inducted him in the cabinet. It may be noted that a maximum of 35 MLAs can be made ministers in the state according to the strength of the Legislative Assembly, but after Tulsiram Silavat and Govind Singh Rajput became ministers, Shivraj cabinet currently has 23 cabinet ministers and seven ministers of state. Minister of Women and Child Development Imrati Devi and Minister of State for Agriculture Girraj Dandotiya had to face defeat in the by-election. That is why he has resigned from his posts. After which there is still a possibility of further expansion in the Shivraj cabinet.
