Ranchi, Mar 25: Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda today expanded his ministry inducting 20 ministers including five MLAs of allies Samata Party and JD-U who successfully spearheaded a revolt against the leadership of his predecessor Babulal Marandi. State Governor, M Rama Jois, administered the oath of office and secrecy to 18 cabinet ministers and two ministers of state, taking the strength of the ministry to 25. Five cabinet ministers had taken oath on March 18 along with Munda who took over the reins of the state on that day, culminating in a change of leadership forced by the rebellion from Samata Party and JD-U MLAs. The cabinet ministers sworn in today are: Ramchandra Kesari, Ramesh Singh Munda, Madhu Singh, Bachcha Singh, Jaleshwar Mahato (all Samata), Lalchand Mahato, Baidyanath Ram (both JD-U), Mrigendra Pratap Singh, Yamuna Singh, Dev Dayal Kushawaha, Devidhan Beshra, Ramjilal Sharda, Chandra Mohan Prasad, Shagnu Bhagat, Raghuvar Das, Madhu Koda, Ravindra Rai and Dinesh Sarangi (all BJP).

Ramesh Singh Munda, Madhu Singh, Jaleshwar Mahato, Lalchand Mahato and Baidyanath ram had been the members of Marandi minitsry and led the campaign for his ouster.


Both the ministers of state inducted today - Nilkanth Singh Munda and Sudarshan Bhagat - belong to BJP.

The Chief Minister and Speaker, Inder Singh Namdhari, who had briefly become the rallying point of NDA rebels, were among many dignitaries present during the swearing-in ceremony. Bureau Report