Rajasthan cabinet reshuffle a big sign that will benefit Congress: Sachin Pilot

Congress leader Sachin Pilot speaks to media at his residence in Jaipur, on Sunday. Pic/PTI

Fifteen ministers - 11 cabinet and four ministers of state - were sworn in on Sunday in Rajasthan, in a much-awaited expansion of the Ashok Gehlot ministry. While 12 of them are new entrants, four have been elevated from the minister of state to the Cabinet rank.

Five ministers are believed to be from former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot's camp, which had rebelled against Gehlot's leadership in 2020. Pilot, who was sacked as the deputy CM due to rebellion last year, said the Cabinet reshuffle initiated has sent a positive message across the state.

The Congress leader said he is happy that the issues he had raised, including increasing the representation of Dalits in the Cabinet, have been addressed. "Four Dalits have been included in the Cabinet. This is a big message. At the same time, the representation of tribals and women has been increased. This was a necessary step. This was a necessary step and the party and the government worked hard to take it forward," Pilot told reporters.

He said the reshuffle is a "big sign" that will benefit the Congress in the future. He exuded confidence that the party will again form the government in the state in 2023.

When asked about members from his group who have been given a place in the Cabinet, Pilot said there was no factionalism in the party and all will work unitedly to win the 2023 elections.

Meanwhile, Congress and independent MLAs, who had expectations from the Cabinet expansion but were not accommodated in the reshuffle, would be adjusted in political appointments.

Party sources said that 15 parliamentary secretaries and seven advisers to the CM will be appointed. This will accommodate 22 MLAs who had expectations that they would be made part of the government.

Those left out will be given other political appointments as chairperson of various boards and corporations, the party sources said.

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No. of new ministers in new cabinet

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