More MLAS join clamour for cabinet expansion
Three BSP MLAS, who merged with Cong in September 2019, join the clamour for cabinet expansion
JAIPUR: After recent demand from Sachin Pilot camp for political appointments and cabinet expansion in Rajasthan, now Bahujan Samaj Party MLAS, who merged with the Congress in September 2019, have also joined the clamour.
For the last one week, Pilot’ loyalists have been constantly raising the demand for political appointments and cabinet expansion in the state. Surprisingly, now the legislators close to chief minister Ashok Gehlot have also joined the chorus.
Lakhan Singh, one of the six BSP MLAS who joined the Congress, said the cabinet expansion should happen, as it would improve the government’s efficiency. “Nine cabinet berths are vacant; some departments are totally dependent on government officials. If they get ministers, they will function in a better way, and have effective monitoring. I hope the cabinet expansion will happen soon,” said Singh, the MLA from Karauli.
A former minister, MLA Rajendra Singh Gudha said, “Last year, 19 Congress MLAS and three Independents had gone away (during the political crisis)…if we six MLAS, who came from BSP, and 10 independents, had not been there, then by now there would have been the first death anniversary of the government.”
On the cabinet expansion, Gudha said, “It is CM’S jurisdiction.” When asked, if the Pilot camp was mounting pressure on the Gehlot goverment, he said, “I don’t know about this, but what I know is that had we not been there, then this would have been the government’s first death anniversary?”
Gudha said, “We met Ajay Maken (Congress incharge for Rajasthan) thrice. Every time, we were told that the work of cabinet expansion and political appointments will be done in a couple of months. If they do it now, it is fine. Otherwise, there is not much time left. More than two and a half years have passed. Ajay Maken gives assurance every time.”
Another BSP MLA Sandeep Yadav said, “Everything is normal, but we have faith on Ashok Gehlot and his leadership. Cabinet expansion should happen as many departments do not have ministers. If it happens, it will benefit people.”
CM to go virtual due to health reasons
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot, who is suffering with post-covid complications, will be holding meetings and interactions through video conference and call, as advised by the doctors, stated the CM’S office.
Since Gehlot got infected with Covid-19, all meetings and interactions were being done through video conference and video call. The doctors have said that for another one or two months the meetings should be through.
The CM is also holding department review meetings through video conferencing. In last 15-16 months, about 355 VCS have been conducted, from which representatives of the village till the ward panch, sarpanch also join.
Nine cabinet berths are vacant; some departments are totally dependent on government officials. If they get ministers, they will function in a better way, and have effective monitoring. I hope the cabinet expansion will happen soon.