CM, Diggy discuss post-LS scenario
Bhopal: Chief minister Kamal Nath and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had a meeting at the state secretariat on Tuesday. According to sources, the two Congress veterans discussed the prevailing situation in the state following the Lok Sabha election.
They also reportedly discussed names of MLAs that would be accommodated in the first cabinet expansion of the Kamal Nath government which is expected to happen in June.
Similarly, political appointments would also be made to boards and corporations. The Congress is also looking to change its state unit chief — a post currently held by chief minister Kamal Nath.
Congress is seeking to take all necessary steps to ensure stability of its state government before budget session is expected to begin in July. According to sources, CM Nath and Digvijaya Singh held discussions on these issues.
Currently, there are 28 cabinet ministers in the Nath ministry, which include two women and an Independent. A further six members can be added as the strength of the council of ministers cannot exceed 34 — which is 15% of the total number of seats in the 230-member assembly.
In the assembly elections held in December last year, Congress won 114 seats and formed the government following support from SP and the BSP, who won one and two seats respectively. Moreover, four Independent MLAs, who were Congress rebels, had also extended their support, thus taking the total number of MLAs on the Congress side to 121. BJP, on the other hand, had won 109 seats.
Ever since claiming a resounding majority in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has been constantly reiterating that the Congress government in MP would fall any day.
Subodhananda Maharaj takes charge of temple panel
Swami Subodhananda Maharaj, the newly appointed head of advisory committee on Matha and Mandirs, took charge of office at the state secretariat on Tuesday. Former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, cabinet minister PC Sharma, Jaivardhan Singh, Omkar Singh Markam and other officials were present on the occasion.
