Date:22/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/22/stories/2008122259330500.htm

New Delhi

Chhattisgarh Ministers to take oath today

RAIPUR: Eleven MLAs will take oath as ministers in the Raman Singh Cabinet here on Monday.

Mr Singh, after returning from Delhi, said the Cabinet would come into shape on Monday at 12-30 p.m. with ministers taking oath of their respective offices.

He had flown down to New Delhi on December 19 to finalise the list of Cabinet ministers in his government after consultation with the party’s central leadership. He met senior party leaders including Atal Behari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani.

Mr Singh had to rush back to Raipur on December 17 skipping a meeting with BJP national president Rajnath Singh, as his mother was admitted in a local hospital in serious condition.

To finalise the list, Mr Singh again flew to New Delhi on December 19 and got the list finalised after meeting Rajnath Singh and Lal Krishna Advani.

As per the constitutional obligation, only 15 per cent of the total strength of the House can become ministers in the 90-member Assembly.

Raman Singh assumed the office of the Chief Minister for the second term on December 12 after BJP’s victory in Assembly elections in the State. However, as per the party directive, Mr. Singh alone had taken oath of office.