The Hindu : Mayawati agrees to induct more BJP Ministers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 14, 2002

Other States

Other States - Uttar Pradesh

Mayawati agrees to induct more BJP Ministers

Lucknow Oct. 13. In an attempt to placate disgruntled BJP MLAs, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati, today agreed to induct some more Ministers in her Government.

In a statement here, Ms. Mayawati said the decision was taken at the instance of the BJP State leadership.

``The senior BJP leader, Lalji Tandon, and the State president, Vinay Katiyar, met me yesterday and suggested that some more members be inducted in the Ministry keeping in view the strength of the BJP and its allies,'' she said.

``I have assured them that some more Ministers would be inducted in the Ministry, if necessary, keeping in view the numbers and proportionate representation,'' Ms. Mayawati sad. ``But it shall not be construed as Cabinet expansion,'' she said and denied press reports that another Cabinet expansion would take place soon.

Ms. Mayawati said that Friday's Cabinet expansion was effected after due consideration of the regional, caste and religious balances.

The Chief Minister said her Ministry could not be termed as ``jumbo size'' keeping in view the size of the State.

Portfolios allocated

Ms. Mayawati kept Home, Finance, Appointments and Planning Ministries with her while allocating portfolios to the members of her expanded Ministry.

The Chief Minister had kept General Administration, Home, Appointments, Personnel, Finance, Justice, Planning, Protocol, Civil Aviation, Estate and Environment portfolios with herself, an official release said here.

Mr. Tandon would look after Housing and Urban Development, while Om Prakash Singh would have Irrigation, it said.

Naseemuddin Siddique would be the Transport and Excise Minister and Kailash Nath Singh Yadav Land Development and Water Resorces Minister, the release said, adding Ram Prakash Tripathi would continue to be in charge of Cooperation Ministry.

PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

Mayawati agrees to induct more BJP Ministers