The chief minister made only some minor changes in the portfolios. As was expected he divested the Home department from Shanti Dhariwal and kept it with himself. Shanti Dhariwal is now left with Urban Development and Housing and Law and Justice and Parliamentary affairs. Gehlot, who was chief minister without a portfolio during his first stint, is now saddled with 11 departments, including the crucial Finance and Home.
Dhariwal came under scathing criticism for his handling of the Gopalgarh communal clashes, resulting in the death of 10 Meo Muslims in police firing and there was a demand for his removal from various quarters. In other major surprises, the Panchyati raj and Rural Development Minister Bharat Singh has been shifted to the PWD while Brij Kishore Sharma has been shifted to the Education department. He was holding the Transport portfolio earlier.
Ghelhot also changed the department of Babulal Nagar, from Civil Supplies to Khadi and Village industries. Nagar was accused of corruption in the department. Although he survived as a minister in the reshuffle, he had to settle for a low profile portfolio. Virendra Beniwal is the Minister of State for Home and Transport.
