Himachal CM Dhumal to expand cabinet

Shimla, Jan 9: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal will expand his cabinet today. Governor will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers. According to sources, only seven to eight ministers will take oath in the first phase of the expansion. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Raj Bhawan at 10 a.m.

The BJP MLAs whose names were certain include Krishan Kapoor, J.P. Nadda, Narinder Bragta and Gulab Singh Thakur. Other probable who could be made ministers in the cabinet include Ravinder Singh Ravi from Kangra, Tulsi Ram from Chamba, Shraveen Chaudhary from Kangra and Harinarain Saini from Solan, Khimi Ram from Kullu.

However, with a second expansion of the cabinet likely to be done at a later stage after the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker are filled, some of these senior leaders could be inducted.

The first session of new Assembly will start on January 11. On the opening day, the Pro tem speaker will administer oath of office to the newly elected members.

ANI