Dehradun: Political activity in Uttarakhand has picked up pace amid growing speculation over an imminent cabinet expansion. The buzz intensified after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami returned from Delhi and held a flurry of meetings with several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators and one independent MLA on Sunday.
The meetings, held at the Chief Minister’s official residence in Dehradun, have fueled anticipation that a reshuffle or expansion of the state cabinet could take place soon — possibly during the upcoming Navratri festival. With just under two years left before the 2027 Assembly elections, political observers see the potential cabinet rejig as a calculated move to strengthen governance and manage internal party dynamics.
Half-Empty Cabinet Fuels Speculation
As per constitutional limits, Uttarakhand can have up to 12 cabinet ministers, including the Chief Minister. At present, only seven ministerial posts are filled, leaving five positions vacant. With the BJP holding a comfortable majority of 47 seats in the 70-member Assembly, internal competition for cabinet berths has intensified.
Nearly 40 BJP MLAs are reportedly lobbying for inclusion in the council of ministers, hoping to gain political traction ahead of the next election cycle.
Meetings Focus on Development, Say Officials
Among those who met the Chief Minister were MLAs Sahdev Pundir, Khajan Das, Suresh Chauhan, Bharat Chaudhary, Sanjay Dobhal, Anil Nautiyal, and Pritam Panwar, along with other local leaders. According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, the meetings centered around development issues and constituency-level challenges.
Chief Minister Dhami assured the legislators that their concerns would be addressed promptly and that relevant departments would be instructed to take immediate action on local demands.
He reiterated his government’s focus on delivering transparent and efficient governance, and emphasized that the involvement of elected representatives plays a key role in addressing public issues effectively.
Push for Disaster Relief and Development
In light of recent natural disasters affecting parts of the state, the Chief Minister also urged MLAs to visit impacted regions and actively support relief and rehabilitation efforts. He assured them that the government remains committed to extending all necessary assistance to affected families and speeding up the restoration of essential services.
Dhami also reiterated the state government’s continued investment in improving infrastructure and public services, highlighting progress in areas such as road connectivity, education, healthcare, tourism, drinking water supply, and energy development.
Strategic Timing Ahead of Elections
The expected cabinet expansion is being seen as part of a broader political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections. By including more legislators in the government, the BJP may seek to consolidate its position, address regional aspirations, and reward performance and loyalty within the party ranks.
Though no official announcement has been made regarding the date or the new ministers, the political atmosphere in the state suggests that changes may be on the horizon sooner rather than later.
