Mizoram CM expands cabinet, inducts 4 new ministers
Mizoram CM expands cabinet, inducts 4 new ministers
Mizoram CM expands cabinet
Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Tuesday expanded his cabinet by inducting four more ministers.
Three current ministers of state. Lalrinliana, Lalchhandama Ralte and Lalruatkima and former Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly have been inducted into the State Cabinet.
Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati administered the oath to four new ministers during the swearing-in ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Aizawl.
Mizoram now has 10 Cabinet Ministers (including the Chief Minister) and two Ministers of State.
Lalrinawma, who resigned as Deputy Speaker on December 15, was given the portfolios of Excise and Narcotics, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Social Welfare and Sericulture.
K. Lalrinliana, Lalchhandama Ralte and Lalruatkima have retained their existing portfolios.
Sources in the MNF office said that Lawngtlai East Constituency Legislator H Byakzova is likely to replace the Deputy Speaker.
Bechua, who belongs to Seha constituency, had resigned from the post of Minister of State on December 13.
He had said that he was asked by Zoramthanga to resign as he wanted to reshuffle the cabinet and departments.
Sources said that the MNF leader may join the BJP before the state assembly elections.
Elections to the 40-member assembly of Mizoram are scheduled to be held later next year.
In the current assembly, the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has 28 members, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has 7, the Congress has 5 and the BJP has one.
Although the MNF is a member of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and an ally of the NDA government at the Centre, the party does not and does not work in alliance with the BJP in the state.
