Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath leaves after a meeting with party MLAs and others, in Bhopal, on March 4, 2020. (... Read More

BHOPAL: After the political crisis over alleged poaching of MLAs by the main opposition BJP, disgruntled leaders in the Congress have crossed their fingers expecting an expansion of Kamal Nath cabinet in the coming days. Hinting at a possible reshuffle on cards, Congress minister Lakhan Singh Yadav said on Thursday that senior leaders and former ministers who had been left out may be included in the next cabinet.

"There are some senior MLAs who had been left from becoming cabinet minister in the Congress government. In the next (coming) expansion of the cabinet, all these leaders will be included in the team. There are some Independents and members of the alliance party too which could be adjusted in the cabinet," said state animal husbandry minister, Lakhan Singh Yadav.

The minister also hinted at the cabinet reshuffle very soon. Sources said that after the poaching row, a large number of Congress leaders were expecting reshuffling of the cabinet and appointments in the boards and corporations. Even MLAs from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and Independent are hopeful to get a berth in the Congress government very soon.

"I have been trying for a responsibility since last one year. The Congress government should take immediate decision after this episode," said SP MLA from Bijawar, Rajesh Kumar Shukla .

Sources in Congress said that chief minister Kamal Nath can include senior leaders KP Singh, tribal leader Bisahulal Singh and Aindal Singh Kansana as ministers. They had been in the Congress cabinet in the erstwhile Digvijaya Singh government. A few leaders from BSP or Independent could also be considered for the berth.

Sources further disclosed that during the political crisis, the chief minister has sought explanation from some ministers for their social media posts against Congress allegations. Sources said some of the controversial ministers could also be dropped from the cabinet in the forthcoming reshuffle of the Congress team.

