First-timers , veterans in cabinet
SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: The newly sworn-in Himachal Pradesh cabinet, helmed by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, marks a generational shift in the state’s polity besides striking a balance between caste and regional equations.
Thakur and his 11 cabinet ministers were sworn in by governor Acharya Devvrat at the Ridge here on Wednesday.
The new chief minister and eight members of his Cabinet are below the age of 55. The 52-yearold Thakur’s elevation marks the end of a political era dominated by old war horses. It also marks the rise of the common man. Born to a poor mason, Thakur started his career as a member of ABVP. He remained state president of BJP’s youth wing BJYM and won his first election in 1998.
This five-term legislator from Seraj assembly segment of Mandi district, who is known for keeping a low profile, Thakur was nominated chief minister after the shock defeat of party’s chief minister face Prem Kumar Dhumal from the Sujanpur assembly segment.
As expected, Thakur selected his team cautiously striking a balance between youth and experience as well as caste and regions.
MIX OF YOUNG AND OLD
Mahender Singh, 67, is the seniormost minister in the new cabinet, while Dr Rajiv Saizal, 46, is the youngest. Third-time legislator from Kasauli assembly segment reserved for Scheduled Castes, Saizal is popular in the party for his simplicity.
GENERATIONAL SHIFT
Chief minister Thakur and eight of his ministers are below the age of 55. The cabinet has only four senior citizens.
The average age of the cabinet is 55 years with five old faces and six new ones. Mahender Singh, Kishan Kapoor, Sarveen Chaudhary, Anil Sharma and Ram Lal Markanda have served as ministers in the past as well.
REGIONAL BALANCE
Coming to regional distribution of power, the politically significant district of Kangra has got the maximum representation with four ministers. Kangra has 15 seats in the 68-member house, which is almost 1/4th of the total strength. Mandi has got three berths in the cabinet, including that of the chief minister. One minister each hails from Kullu, Shimla, Solan, Una and LahaulSpiti.