On Tuesday,Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel conducted the first expansion of his Cabinet by inducting nine Congress MLAs, including a woman legislator, as ministers.
Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath to the new ministers at the Police Parade Ground here.
The ministers took oath in Hindi.
Among the ministers sworn in included Mohammed Akbar, Umesh Patel, Anila Bhediya and Ravindra Chaubey.
Baghel took oath as Chhattisgarh chief minister on December 17, after the Congress won the state assembly election with a thumping majority.
Two other Congress legislators, T S Singh Deo, and Tamradhwaj Sahu were also sworn in as ministers that day.
The Congress returned to power in the state after 15 years, dislodging the Raman Singh-led BJP government.
Congress spokesperson RP Singh said the decision on allocation of portfolios of the ministers will be taken after the oath ceremony. Those who are front-runners of the ministerial berths are former Union minister Charandas Mahant, ex-minister in Madhya Pradesh government and senior leader Satynarayan Sharma, senior leader Mohammad Akhbar, former leader of Opposition Ravindra Chaubey, Amarjeet Bhagar, Kawasi Lakma, and MLA Anita Bhedia.
Congress has registered a landslide victory in Chhattisgarh polls, winning 68 seats in 90 member assembly. The BJP, which was in power in the state since 2003, was reduced to 15 seats while former chief minister Ajit Jogi-led Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) managed to win five seats. Jogi's ally Bahujan Samaj Party has won two seats.
