15 ministers take oath in Rajasthan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 21

The expanded Rajasthan Cabinet took shape on Sunday with 15 ministers taking oath of office, among them 12 new and three former ministers of state elevated to Cabinet ranks.

No factionalism in party: pilot

It will send a good message across Rajasthan. There is no factionalism in the state. I am ready for any role that Gandhis will give me. — Sachin Pilot, Congress Leader

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra administered the oath of office to the ministers who include five from the camp of former deputy CM Sachin Pilot, who had been awaiting accommodation of his supporters.

Among Pilot loyalists, Hema Ram Chaudhary, Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena were sworn in as Cabinet ministers, while Brijendra Ola (son of late union minister Sis Ram Ola) and Murarilal Meena were inducted as Ministers of State.

The return of Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena to the state Cabinet is significant. The duo had been sacked by the Congress along with then deputy CM Pilot when the camp rebelled against Gehlot in 2020.

Mahendrajit Singh Malviya, Ramlal Jat, Mahesh Joshi, Mamta Bhupesh Bhairwa, Bhajanlal Jatav, Tikaram Juli, Govind Ram Meghwal and Shakuntala Rawat were among the other 11 Cabinet ministers to take oath.

Four MoS to be sworn in were Zahida, Ola, Rajendra Durha and Meena. In the reshuffle, three SC Ministers of State were elevated to Cabinet ranks — Bhajanlal Jatav, Mamta Bhupesh Bhairwa and Tikaram Julie as the Congress expanded its SC outreach.

The fourth SC minister inducted directly into the Cabinet is former MP Govind Ram Meghwal. After the swearing-in, Gehlot said the “exercise is representative of all segments be it STs, SCs, Backward Classes or minorities”.

Pilot also hailed the revamp as comprehensive and said, “It will send a good message across Rajasthan.” Pilot added that there was no factionalism in the state and that he was ready for any role the Gandhis gave him.”

With today’s move, the Gehlot Cabinet has 30 ministers including the CM, with all slots filled. Gehlot said the portfolio allocation would be done later keeping the 2023 election challenges in mind.

The exercise saw Congress leader Rahul Gandhi experiment with his one-man-one-post formula for the first time with three former ministers dropped. No independent was sworn in today amid indications that they are upset.