Former CM Baghel calls cabinet expansion illegal

The expansion of Chief Minister Sai's cabinet has finally taken place, but the appointment of 14 ministers has sparked political discussion. In fact, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has called it a case of violation of law and has raised the question whether the government was allowed to form such a large council of ministers. Bhupesh Baghel has also sought an answer from CM Sai regarding this.

Former CM Bhupesh Baghel raised questions on the number of 14 ministers in the Sai government and said that according to the law made in 2003, only up to 15% of the number of assembly members can become ministers. When the Congress government was formed in 2018, I had written a letter to the Government of India. There was a demand to increase the number of ministers in Chhattisgarh from 15 percent to 20%. The reason given behind this was Chhattisgarh being geographically large and not having a Legislative Council. But there was no response to the letter and neither permission was given. In such a situation, now the question is arising, when did the Sai government get permission? If 14 ministers were made without permission, then it is illegal. Chief Minister Sai should answer this.

Cabinet expansion done on the lines of Haryana
Haryana also has 90 MLAs. In Haryana, there are 14 ministers including the Chief Minister in the BJP government. In this regard, 3 more ministers have been appointed by applying the Haryana formula in Chhattisgarh as well. However, since the formation of Chhattisgarh, only 13 ministers were being appointed. As per the rules, only 15 percent of the MLAs can become ministers on the basis of the number of MLAs, so 14 ministers including the Chief Minister have been appointed under 13.5 ministers out of 90 MLAs.

Let us tell you that today Governor Ramen Deka administered the oath of ministership to Gajendra Yadav, Rajesh Agarwal and Guru Khuswant Saheb at Raj Bhavan at 10:30 am. Gajendra Yadav has been given the charge of School Education, Village Industry, Law and Legislative Affairs Department. Guru Khuswant Saheb has been given the responsibility of Skill Development, Technical Education and Employment, Scheduled Caste Development Department. Whereas Rajesh Agarwal has been given the charge of Tourism, Culture, Religious Trust and Religious Affairs Department.