The expansion is also an attempt by the BJP to manage political equations in key states. These include poll-bound states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur, which will go to polls early next year and Gujarat that will go to polls late next year.
As many as eight of the new ministers are from Uttar Pradesh: Pankaj Choudhary, Anuradha Patel, SP Singh Baghel, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Kaushal Kishore, BL Verma and Ajay Kumar.
The BJP has tried to balance caste and regional dynamics.
Interestingly, while Yogi-critic Gangwar was removed, another leader who wrote to the CM criticising the functionaing of two hospitals – Kaushal Kishore – has been made a minister.
From Uttarakhand, while former CM Nishank resigned, the BJP has included prominent Brahmin leader Ajay Bhatt in the council of ministers.
The other poll-bound state to get a minister is Manipur. Inner Manipur MP Rajkumar Ranjan Singh has been included in the government.
Punjab and Goa didn’t get any new inclusions…