UP govt expands cabinet, balances caste and regional equation as polls loom

Since the UP council of ministers earlier numbered 43, there had been strong rumours of an impending cabinet expansion to accommodate more deserving legislators

The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday sought to strike caste and regional balance with its first cabinet expansion since coming to power on March 19, 2017.

Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of UP, has reportedly had his choice prevail in most of the legislators finding a place in the coveted group.

Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath to the 23 new ministers, which includes 6 cabinet, 6 ministers of state (MoS) (independent charge) and 11 MoS in the presence of Adityanath and his cabinet colleagues.

While 18 legislators were inducted in the state council of ministers, 5 others were already serving