Hints of dissent as portfolios undecided
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News service
Shimla, July 31
Despite the Cabinet expansion taking place yesterday, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has not been able to allocate portfolios to the newly inducted ministers, as a reshuffle in departments of some of the ministers is likely to take place.
With some of the senior MLAs like Narinder Bragta, Ramesh Dhwala and Rajeev Bindal clearly signaling displeasure over being kept out of the Cabinet, the Chief Minister could be under pressure even on the issue of portfolio allocation. A reshuffle in the departments of the entire Cabinet will be even tougher even if it is on the performance criteria.
The Chief Minister is keen to use the Cabinet expansion as an opportunity to re-shuffle the portfolios of his ministers, which he has been contemplating for the past some time. Sources said that the portfolios are being changed and allocated to the three new ministers Sukh Ram Chaudhary, Rakesh Pathania and Rajinder Garg in consultation with national party chief Jagat Prakash Nadda and other Central leaders.
Even after the expansion yesterday, he clearly said that an overall re-shuffle in the portfolios of ministers is likely to take place. As of now the Chief Minister is holding some of the important departments of Finance, Home, Public Works, Power, Civil Supplies and Tourism. Sources said he is likely to retain Tourism and PWD while Health and Power will be given to a Cabinet colleague.
Sources hinted that Dr Rajiv Saizal, who is looking after Social Justice and Empowerment, could be rewarded with the important portfolio of Health and Family Welfare, which in the present Covid times has assumed even greater significance. The fact that he is an Ayurveda doctor goes in his favour but he has performed efficiently and enjoys an impeccable integrity.
Vidhan Sabha Speaker Vipin Parmar was the health minister, before the portfolio went to the Chief Minister.
The possibility of a change in the portfolio of the lone woman in the Cabinet, Sarveen Chaudhary cannot be ruled out. She is presently looking after Town and Country Planning and Urban Development. The chances of a change in the departments of Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh and Transport and Forest Minister Govind Thakur is being ruled out. Govind even now continues to remain a very powerful minister who enjoys close proximity with the Chief Minister.
There could be some change in the portfolios of Industry Minister Bikram Singh, Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar.
Cm under pressure
With some of the senior MLAs like Narinder Bragta, Ramesh Dhwala and Rajeev Bindal clearly signaling displeasure over being kept out of the Cabinet, the Chief Minister could be under pressure even on the issue of portfolio allocation. A reshuffle in the departments of the entire Cabinet will be even tougher even if it is on the performance criteria.
