Yogi Cabinet Expansion Expected by March 10: RLD and OP Rajbhar Considered for Induction
As the anticipated Lok Sabha elections of 2024 draw nearer, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is considering expanding his cabinet. Reports suggest that Om Prakash Rajbhar, the president of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), might be included in this prospective cabinet enlargement. Additionally, BJP leader Dara Singh Chauhan and an MLA from Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) are speculated to be potential additions to Team Yogi. There are also discussions about the inclusion of one Jat and one Muslim representative from RLD into the Yogi government.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had previously engaged in meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president J P Nadda. Although characterized as courtesy meetings by his office, these interactions have fueled longstanding speculations about a possible reshuffle in the state's council of ministers.
Addressing the buzz around the cabinet expansion, Om Prakash Rajbhar stated, "No such discussion has taken place yet." Drawing parallels with the past, he pointed out that the cabinet was expanded before the imposition of the code of conduct in both Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, he suggested that a similar extension might happen again before the code of conduct comes into effect.
Simultaneously, the BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC) convened to finalize the initial list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, expected to take place in April-May. Sources indicate potential candidates like PM Narendra Modi contesting from Varanasi, Rajnath Singh from Lucknow, Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur, and others including Smriti Irani and Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti. The deliberations hint at the BJP's strategic planning for the crucial electoral battle.
