Guwahati: The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjabi government will expand its cabinet for the first time on Monday.
The swearing-in event will take place at Punjab Raj Bhawan at 5 p.m. today.
This will be the Bhagwant Mann-led administration’s first cabinet enlargement after more than three months after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) unexpectedly won the majority in Punjab.
The debate over the new ministers’ names is currently in full swing.
CM Bhagwant Mann travelled to Delhi last week to meet with Arvind Kejriwal, head of the party’s high command. According to sources, there was talk on the enlargement of Punjab’s cabinet at these meeting, and potential ministers’ names were also suggested.
According to sources, five to six new ministers, including a woman MLA, are reportedly expected to take the oath on Monday.
The names of several MLAs are being tossed around for the cabinet roles, including Aman Arora (Sunam), Sarvjit Kaur Manuke (Jagraon), Baljinder Kaur (Talwandi Sabo), Budh Ram (Budhlada), Inderbir Singh Nijjar (Amritsar South), and Anmol Gagan Mann (Kharar). However, the party has not yet provided any information regarding the names of the MLAs.
The Bhagwant Mann administration was established in Punjab following AAP’s overwhelming victory in the 2022 assembly elections. During the state assembly elections, the AAP swept to power by winning 92 seats in the 117-member Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
The chief minister is one of the 18 seats in the government. The cabinet currently has nine ministers.