Modi cabinet expanded, 18 ministers sworn-in

Gandhinagar, Jan 4 (UNI) The Narendra Modi government in Gujarat was today expanded with nine cabinet ministers and an equal number of ministers of state being sworn-in.

Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers this morning in the presence of Mr Modi, state BJP leaders and large number of party workers in a solemn ceremony at the sprawling lawns behind the Gujarat Assembly Building.

All ministers took oath in Gujarati.

Significantly, the ministry has as many as seven members from the Patel community.

The expansion took place after intensive consultations that continued for about a couple of days right upto the early hours today.

Those from the previous ministry who were sworn-in today included Vajubhai Vala, Narottam Patel, Anandiben Patel and Mangubhai Patel.

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