EXCLUSIVE: UP Cabinet Expansion In Next 15 Days, CM Holds Meeting With Amit Shah & Others

ABP News learns that in view of the UP Assembly Elections 2022, the Yogi Adityanath-led government seems to be keen on expanding the cabinet.

UP Chief Minster Yogi Adityanath | File Image

Noida: Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections are due early next year and the BJP is already on the strategy board planning to make further inroads in the 403-member Legislative Assembly state. For that reason, a brainstorming session with UP Polls in mind, a three and half-hour-long meeting was held at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence with senior BJP leaders.

 

The meeting was attended by BJP President J P Nadda, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, UP State President Swatantra Dev Singh, and current State General Secretary Of Uttar Pradesh Sunil Bansal.

 

ABP News learns that in view of the UP Assembly Elections 2022, the Yogi Adityanath-led government seems to be keen on expanding the cabinet.

 

Keeping in view the regional, social, and caste balance a need was expressed, during the discussion, to appoint 5 to 7 more ministers. Sources inform ABP News, in the next three days the issue will be discussed in detail with the UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and then the Center's consent will be sought for putting the final seal. After which the date of cabinet expansion will be finalised. 

 

With the ongoing proceedings and discussions, it appears that Uttar Pradesh may have a cabinet expansion within the next 15 days. According to sources, the cabinet expansion in the state may take place in the last week of August or the first week of September. It is likely to have 5 to 7 new ministers. 

 

Sources informed ABP News that after the festival Raksha Bandhan there will be a meeting in Lucknow in which the list of potential ministers for cabinet expansion will be finalised.

Current Yogi Cabinet

 

At present, the total number of ministers in the Yogi Cabinet is 54. This includes 23 Cabinet Ministers, 9 Ministers with Independent Charge, and 22 Ministers of State. As per rules, 6 cabinet posts are still vacant.

 

Sources in the Yogi government claim that the cabinet will be expanded before the next session of the assembly. There may be an attempt to include ministers from OBC, Brahmins, as well as other castes. 

 

JP Nadda To Address BJP Workers

On August 23, BJP's national president JP Nadda will address BJP workers in Uttar Pradesh. During the event, Nadda will directly interact with booth heads and 2,700 sector heads across the state. It is seen as an important event that will kick start the party's grassroots function ahead of the UP assembly elections. Besides this, BJP will start the Panna Pramukh Conferences from September 25 through which it will fully activate its foot soldiers rank.