Wait for portfolio allocation gets longer

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 28

Even as the process of making appointments in the Chief Minister’s office continues, there is no confirmation about the portfolios to be allocated to the newly inducted ministers in Thakur’s Cabinet.

The wait for portfolio allocation continued for the second day today even as their supporters and constituents made a beeline for the secretariat to greet the ministers. There was an atmosphere of festivity and celebration with BJP supporters thronging the CM’s office and other ministers with congratulatory messages. The ministers remained busy meeting their supporters and constituents. They also picked up officials of their choice for their staff.

Trilok Jamwal, a lawyer hailing from Bilaspur, was today appointed the Political Adviser to the Chief Minister. He has a strong RSS background and has been coordinating all mega BJP election rallies, including the ones addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is expected to be a major link between the CM office and the RSS, which is expected to play a key role in all major decisions to be taken by the BJP regime.

Rangila Ram Rao, a former minister from Mandi, was the Political Adviser to Virbhadra Singh during this term, while the post was occupied by Brij Bihari Butail in the previous term.

The second RSS activist to be handpicked to the function as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the CM is Mahender Kumar Dharmani, currently the state BJP spokesperson. Hailing from Ghumarwin in Bilaspur, he is the brother of former BJP MLA Karamvir Dharmani. Having served as a lecturer in the Education Department, he quit and joined the party.

CM to leave for Delhi today

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur will leave for Delhi on Friday to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah. In case, the issue of portfolio allocation is not decided on Thursday, he could hold discussions with the high command during his visit to Delhi. He will return to the state capital the next day. Thakur called on former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh at his residence Holly Lodge and also met PK Dhumal. The visits were part of a courtesy call by the Chief Minister. 

Chamba residents congratulate Thakur

• Chamba residents, especially the elderly, congratulated Jai Ram Thakur on becoming the new Chief Minister of the state. 
• PC Oberoi, a member of the All-India Senior Citizens Confederation, said it was good that new faces had been inducted into the Cabinet.
• Oberoi urged the government to develop districts such as Chamba. He said the residents were hopeful of a positive change in the district.