Newly elected Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, on Tuesday, expanded his Cabinet as nine MLAs took oath as ministers. With this, the strength of the cabinet has reached 12.
Nine ministers who took oath included Mohammad Akbar, Ravindra Choubey, Jaisingh Agrawal Umesh Patel, Kawasi Lakhma, Anila Bhedia, Premsai Singh Tekam, Shiv Kumar Daharia and Rudra Guru.
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However, MLA Kawasi Lakhma who was elected from the Konta constituency in Chhattisgarh was unable to read his oath. Coming to his rescue, Governor Anandiben read out his oath for him as he repeated the words.
“I was born in a poor family and never went to school, despite this, the country’s biggest party gave me tickets to contest the elections. People from all walks of life, including business class, poor and young, all love me. I could not get a formal education, but despite this, I became a minister. Now, I will work for the poor” he told ABP News after the ceremony.
Responding to the reporter’s question whether he would be able to fulfil his responsibilities as a minister because of his illiteracy, he said, “God has given me that intelligence, I have been a legislator for the last 20 years. During this time, I have never been accused of corruption and dishonesty. I am sure that I will also be able to fulfil my responsibilities as a minister.”
Lakhma was one of the ministers who survived the 2013 Naxal attack in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. 28 people were killed in that attack.