Cabinet expansion likely in MP

Bhopal, Jun 3 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Council of Ministers is likely to be expanded this week, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party sources said here today.

After a green signal from the central leadership, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is busy in expansion-related preparations.

When asked about the fate of certain Ministers who were on opposition parties' crosshairs due to corruption-linked allegations, the sources told UNI that there was no plan ''as of now'' to axe anybody as the expansion's chief objective was to fill five empty slots.

Besides the Chief Minister, the Council has 20 Cabinet ministers and nine Ministers of State. In keeping with the 230-member Assembly, the maximum number of Ministers -- including the Chief Minister -- can be 35.

Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi quit yesterday following widespread Income Tax raids and the resignation was acepted by Governor Balram Jakhar. Education Minister Lakshman Singh Gaud died in a road mishap some months back.

UNI PKJ AC AM BST2126