Ranchi: With the assembly is in motion talks on cabinet expansions are doing the rounds in power corridors in Ranchi.
This time the cabinet expansion is yet to be announced though BJP-AJSU coalition got the majority in the assembly election. Anticipations are running high over who would be given the berth in the cabinet. However, government sources said that cabinet expansion would be done after January 14.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das is presently staying put in New Delhi where he reportedly held consultations with BJP president Amit Shah over the issue. It is being expected that after his return from New Delhi Das would hold another round of discussion with party members its coalition partners.
The CM after taking oath had already indicated that procedure of cabinet expansion would be carried out soon after the assembly set in motion. He did not wish to lengthen the issue as it may trigger controversy on lack of coordination between BJP and the AJSU.
Then why not the BJP did not expedite cabinet formation at the very outset of the assembly session? The sources said that talks were on the issues of JVM�s merger with the BJP and its support to the running coalition.
Now when the JVM has cleared its stand on the issue the BJP does not want to withhold cabinet expansion for any longer time. It may be mentioned here that four ministers took oath along with Raghubar Das on December 28. Chandra Prakash Choudhury found a place in the cabinet.
Now it is being anticipated that the BJP would consider a few more berth in the ministry for the AJSU.
Party sources said that seven ministers would be administered oath tentatively on January 16. In the meantime members of AJSU and BJP have started lobbying for the cabinet berth.