In an attempt to win over the hearts of minorities, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday rejigged his Council of Ministers, promoting three ministers to Cabinet rank and inducting another Muslim face as Minister of State.
This is the sixth expansion of the almost two-year-old Government.
Before the new ministers took the oath of office and secrecy at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhawan on Friday, the Chief Minister dropped Waqar Ahmad Shah from his Cabinet.
Shah, who was labour Minister, has not being keeping well for the last one year. His son, Yasir Shah, was inducted as Minister of State in his place.
Minister of State for Transport Mehboob Ali, Minister of State for labour and Employment Shahid Manjoor, and Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Iqbal Mehmood were elevated and sworn in as Cabinet ministers.
Shivakant Ojha, who was included in the Cabinet on January 18, also took the oath of office and secrecy on Friday.
Yadav’s Council of Ministers comprises 27 Cabinet ministers, 31 ministers of state and five ministers of state with independent charge.
This was political necessity for Akhilesh Yadav to carry out this reshuffle. Muslims, who have backed Samajwadi Party Government for last many decades, have raised questions about Government’s intention to extend relief to riot victims. Opposition has criticized Samajwadi Party for using Muslims as a vote bank.
With reports suggesting upsurge of BJP in Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav, who is also State President, has decided to hold on to olive branch by promoting Muslims.