Jharkhand Cabinet Set for Full Expansion; BJP Hits Out at Irfan Ansari

Champai Government to Fill All 12 Ministerial Berths

The impending cabinet expansion in Jharkhand is poised to address long-standing vacancies, stirring political debates and speculations about potential appointees.

RANCHI – Jharkhand’s Champai Soren-led government is on the verge of a significant cabinet expansion, aiming to fill all ministerial positions for the first time in years.

The Jharkhand government is preparing to appoint ministers to two vacant positions, bringing the cabinet to its full strength of 12 members.

This move marks a departure from previous administrations, including those led by Raghuvar Das and Hemant Soren, which operated with incomplete cabinets.

Governor’s Return to Trigger Expansion

The timing of the cabinet expansion hinges on Governor CP Radhakrishnan’s return from Hyderabad, expected on Friday.

Sources indicate that one minister each from the Congress and JMM will be appointed to fill the vacancies.

Potential Appointees and Ceremony Details

Baidyanath Ram, who narrowly missed a cabinet position earlier, is rumored to be considered for the JMM quota.

Irfan Ansari is speculated to replace Alamgir Alam for the Congress seat.

The swearing-in ceremony is slated to be a concise affair at the Raj Bhavan, with potential reshuffling of portfolios among existing ministers.

Art, Culture, and Tourism Minister Hafizul Hassan has confirmed the imminent cabinet expansion, stating that final decisions on appointments are being made.

BJP’s Critique and Political Tensions

The proposed expansion has ignited political tensions, with BJP MLA CP Singh criticizing the potential appointments.

Singh particularly questioned the possibility of Irfan Ansari’s appointment, accusing the Congress of appeasing certain communities.

The BJP legislator alleged that Ansari’s consideration is linked to the need to fill a Muslim quota in the cabinet, following Alamgir Alam’s imprisonment.

Congress Retort and Political Stand-off

The Congress party has reacted strongly to the BJP’s comments, questioning the opposition’s intense interest in the cabinet expansion.

State Congress General Secretary Rakesh Sinha defended the party’s prerogative in ministerial appointments, asserting that such decisions are the party’s internal matter.

Sinha emphasized that the Congress, not CP Singh, would determine the allocation of responsibilities within the party.