Bhopal, Dec 25: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath formed his Cabinet on Tuesday, eight days after he was sworn in.
The Ministers who were administered the oath by Governor Anandiben Patel include 27 from the Congress and one Independent. All took oath in Hindi and were accorded Cabinet rank.
The strength of the Council of Ministers cannot exceed 34, or 15% of the total number of seats in the 230-member Assembly.
Nine MLAs from former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh’s camp and at least eight from party chief campaigner Jyotiraditya Scindia’s were given weight over veterans in the induction of 28 Ministers, following intense consultation with Congress president Rahul Gandhi in the past three days.
The induction of second-time MLA Jaivardhan Singh, son of Mr. Digvijaya, appeared to rattle his uncle Laxman Singh, five-time MP.
Mr. Laxman Singh, younger brother of Mr. Digvijaya won from Chachoda in the Assembly election and was eyeing a berth in the Cabinet, a senior Congress leader said.
No first-timers
Mr. Nath went by experience and caste equations while selecting the Ministers. No first-time MLA was inducted, said a senior party leader.
Caste, region and religion seemed to have played an important role in choice of Ministers.
The Cabinet has the highest nine ministers from the Malwa-Nimar region, which holds the key to power in the State.
Six each from Madhya Chetra, five from Gwalior-Chambal, four from Mahakaushal, three from Bundelkhand and one from Vindhya make up the rest.
The lone Muslim and two women Ministers are Arif Aqeel and Vijay Laxmi Sadho and Imarti Devi.
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