Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expanded his Cabinet on Tuesday, March 5, with the induction of four new ministers, including two from the BJP.
BJP leaders Dara Singh Chauhan and Sunil Kumar Sharma, SBSP Chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, and RLD MLA Anil Kumar, took oath as ministers in the swearing-in ceremony held in Lucknow. It marks the first Cabinet expansion in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's second term.
With this addition, the UP council of ministers now boasts a total of 52 members, comprising 18 Cabinet ministers, 14 ministers of state (independent charge), and 20 ministers of state.
Governor Anandiben Patel, along with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, graced the occasion, symbolising the official induction of the new ministers into the state Cabinet.
The Cabinet expansion holds strategic significance, as it is perceived as a move by the BJP to fortify its position across various regions of the state ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. This initiative aligns with the party's efforts to consolidate its influence and strengthen its electoral prospects.
The political landscape in Uttar Pradesh has seen notable developments in recent days, with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader, Jayant Chaudhary, formally joining the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This alliance was further solidified as the RLD declared its candidates for the upcoming general elections, with Chandan Chauhan contesting from Bijnor and Dr Rajkumar Sangwan from the Baghpat Lok Sabha seat.
Dara Singh Chauhan's elevation to the state Cabinet follows his election to the UP Legislative Council earlier this year, marking a significant stride in his political journey. Similarly, SBSP Chief Om Prakash Rajbhar's re-entry into the BJP-led NDA fold in 2023 underscores the evolving dynamics within the state's political landscape.
