Guwahati: Close to two years after the formation of the government, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal is all set to expand his cabinet for the first time on Thursday.
Against the vacancy of eight ministers, Mr Sonowal has decided to induct seven new ministers including five from BJP and one each from alliance partners — Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF). According to list of new ministers sent to Raj Bhawan for swearing in, the BJP legislators — Siddhartha Bhattacharyya, Bhawesh Kalita, Sum Ronghang, Tapan Gogoi and Piyush Hazarika have been invited to take oath.
The veteran AGP leader and MLA Phani Bhushan Choudury and BPF MLA Chandan Brahma have also been invited to take the oath.
At present, the 11-member cabinet of Mr Sonowal includes seven Bhartiya Janta Party legislators including state chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Though, there has been speculation of Mr Sonowal inducting at least one more woman legislator as name of Ms Angoorlata Deka has been doing the rounds. However, in final list she could not find a place. Ms Deka, who won from Batadraba constituency, has been one of the vocal legislators.
At present, the 11-member cabinet of Mr Sonowal includes seven Bharatiya Janata Party legislators including chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Of the remaining, two are AGP legislators and two BPF legislators.
