Tuesday, April 19 2005 22:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: The Arjun Munda-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Cabinet in Jharkhand was expanded today (Apr 19, 2005) with the induction of Jaleswar Mahto of Janata Dal United (JDU) and Satyanand Bhokta of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking its strength to 12.

Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibtey Razi administered the oath at a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. Mahto, also president of JDU's Jharkhand unit, replaced party leader Radha Krishna Kishore, who had resigned following internal bickering in the party.

The Cabinet now has three members from the BJP, excluding the Chief minister, two from JDU, five independents and Kamlesh Singh, who has since merged his State unit of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) with BJP.

Singh had won the Assembly election on a NCP ticket and a protest letter for his disqualification under the anti-defection act is pending with Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari.

Today's swearing-in ceremony was attended by Munda, Home Minister Sudesh Mahto and other members of the Cabinet. Kishore had resigned as Drinking and Sanitation Minister on April 10 after resentment over his inclusion in the March 29 Cabinet expansion by a couple of his party MLAs.

Senior JDU leaders also had regretted the non-inclusion of Jaleswar Mahto in the Cabinet then, despite his name along with Welfare minister Ramesh Singh Munda being recommended by the party.

Ramesh Singh Munda even pledged not to take Ministerial charge till Mahto was accommodated.

Bhokta was a Minister in the previous Arjun Munda Government. Replying to questions after the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister Arjun Munda said that today's expansion fulfilled constitutional obligation to have a maximum of 12 Ministers.

To a pointed question, as to how he would accommodate other NDA MLAs, Munda said that all the legislators were experienced and represent the people. The Government would utilise their services as and when required, he added.