Bhopal, Oct 27 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s meeting with Governor Rameshwar Thakur has triggered speculation that the much awaited cabinet expansion is all set to take place.
Although the expansion had been expected since Chouhan assumed office for a second time 11 months ago, the possibility got strengthened after Chouhan met the governor Monday for over an hour.

“The chief minister apprised him about the cabinet expansion and the date for the event,” an informed source said.

Hectic parleys are on among BJP leaders to finalise the names of those likely to be inducted into the ministry.

BJP state chief Narendra Singh Tomar held a closed-door meeting Tuesday morning with the party’s organisational general secretary Makhan Singh and organisational assistant general secretaries Bhagwat Sharan Mathur and Arvind Menon at his residence. They also met the chief minister.

Chouhan was sworn in as chief minister Dec 12, 2008. His council of ministry was administered the oath of office and secrecy Dec 20. Since then it has been speculated that the cabinet would be expanded.

The state has a 230-member house, and thus there can be a maximum of 35 ministers including the chief minister. There are 23 ministers, including Chouhan, now.