Subhash Pandey and Rajpal Tyagi, who won the bypoll from Ghaziabad assembly constituency, were inducted as cabinet ministers. Ram Het, minister of state for elections and Fateh Bahadur, minister of state for forests, were elevated as cabinet ministers.

These ministers were administered oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony in Raj Bhavan here.
With Thursday’s expansion, the strength of the Mayawati ministry has gone up to 54. There is still scope for inducting six more ministers.

Incidently Thursday’s expansion is the sixth of the Mayawati ministry in the past one year. BSP sources said there could be another expansion in the near future. The chief minister had recently, while addressing a meeting of party MLAs, MPs, ministers and office bearers, asked them to launch preparation for the next Lok Sabha elections.

Equation

Induction of two brahmin ministers –– Pandey and Tyagi –– is being seen as an attempt to further strengthen BSP’s base among the brahmin community ahead of the poll while elevating a “thakur” minister –– Fateh Bahadur –– reflected her effort to rope in the community.  The effort was to give the ministry more representative character, BSP sources said.

The chief minister had recently hinted that some ministers might have to resign and contest the lok sabha elections.