Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expanded his cabinet on Monday inducting five AAP MLAs as ministers in the state government. This was the first cabinet expansion of the Mann-led government since the AAP came to power in the state during the Assembly elections earlier this year.
The MLAs were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit at Guru Nanak Dev Auditorium of Punjab Raj Bhawan. They took oath in Punjabi.
Following the induction of five more ministers, the strength of the Mann-led cabinet increased to 15, including the chief minister. The Punjab cabinet has 18 berths, including the chief minister.
The legislators who got the cabinet berth in the state government include – Aman Arora, Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Fauja Singh Sarari, , Chetan Singh Jourmajra, Anmol Gagan Mann.
While Arora, who represents Sunam constituency, is a two-time MLA, four others were the first-time legislators.
Arora was the first one to take oath, followed by Nijjar, who is the MLA from Amritsar South seat. Subsequently, Sarari, MLA from Guru Har Sahai, Chetan Singh Jourmajra, who represents Samana, and Kharar legislator Anmol Gagan Mann were administered oath as cabinet ministers.
With the induction of Gagan Mann, the number of female cabinet ministers in the Mann-led cabinet has risen to two.
Of the five new faces, four MLAs are from the Malwa region and one is from the Majha region.
In March, 10 MLAs, including eight first-timers, were sworn-in as ministers after AAP registered thumping victory in the Assembly polls.
However, Health Minister Vijay Singla was removed over corruption charges in May.
