Monday, March 28 2005 10:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: The six-member Arjun Munda Ministry in Jharkhand would be expanded on March 29.

The Chief Minister told newsmen that the new Ministers would be sworn in at 17.30 hrs (IST) at Raj Bhavan.

The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) meeting was held at the Chief Minister's residence yesterday (March 27, 2005).

Asked who would be the rest six Ministers in his council, Munda said, "You would know on the D-day".

He, however, replied in the affirmative when asked whether it would be three from the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and two from its ally JDU (Janata Dal United).

It remains to be seen whether Kamlesh Singh, whose name had figured during the March 12 swearing-in ceremony at the Morahbadi Maidan, is taking oath as Minister on Tuesday (March 29, 2005) making it 12 as required by the 91st amendment.

Incidentally, Singh had taken oath as one of the Ministers on March two, when Shibu Soren was called to form the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government by Governor Syed Sibtey Razi.

Singh is yet to take oath as MLA in the house. He along with Enos Ekka, is in the eye of storm as the Opposition has been demanding disqualification of both Singh and Ekka as legislators from the Jharkhand Assembly.

The entire Opposition even staged a walk out during the Governor's address to the House on March 24. A similar protest awaits today (March 28, 2005) when the Assembly meets after a brief holiday.

The Munda Ministry now comprises of Sudesh Mahto, Madhu Kora, Enos Ekka, Chandra Prakash Choudhuri and Hari Narain Rai, besides the Chief Minister himself. Portfolios are yet to be distributed among the Ministers.