Hemant cabinet likely to induct new faces, fill 12th minister berth

Ranchi: Hemant Soren, who took oath on Thursday as the chief minister, is likely to induct a few new faces in the 12-member cabinet, sources claimed on Saturday. There is also a possibility to fill the 12th minister berth, which was kept vacant since JMM-Congress-RJD govt came to power in 2019.
On Jan 31, Soren was forced to resign following his arrest by Enforcement Directorate in land scam and money laundering cases.Hemant named Champai Soren as his replacement. However, following his bail on June 28, Hemant came back as CM replacing Champai on Thursday.
His cabinet expansion is expected anytime next week after the floor test which is scheduled on Monday. While ruling coalition govt of JMM-Congress-RJD isn’t worried about the floor test given the number of MLAs in their fold, it is treading cautiously to balance social and caste dynamics in mind and addressing dissent while shaping the cabinet. Congress has four ministers from its quota. Of this, one became vacant after the arrest of former rural development minister Alamgir Alam by ED ahead of Lok Sabha polls. Alam is an MLA from Pakur. “Jamtara MLA Irfan Ansari is the frontrunner in place of Alam,” said a source, adding that deliberations are also on to replace at least one minister but the final call rests with the party high command.
Besides Alam, Rameshwar Oraon, Banna Gupta and Badal Patralekh were other ministers in previous cabinet. “Of them, Badal’s chances of getting replaced is high due to his unsatisfactory performance,” added another source. Badal held agriculture department portfolio. JMM, on the other hand, is expected to rope in Latehar MLA Baidyanath Ram as the 12th minister as his name was dropped at the last moment in Champai cabinet.
State Congress president Rajesh Thakur said cabinet expansion will happen soon after the floor test. On possible rejig from Congress quota, “Deliberations are on and certain plan of actions are in place but party high command will take a final call before any announcement.”