Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav expanded his cabinet on Monday with 10 more ministers including Prajapati Gayatri Prasad whom he had sacked earlier this month during the Samajwadi Party’s internal feud. Akhilesh dropped minister of state Laxmikant Nishad to maintain the ceiling of 60 in the council of ministers. Ziauddin Rizvi who could not take oath on June 24 also took oath as a cabinet minister. Ministers of state - Abhishek Mishra, Narendra Verma and Shankh Lal Majhi were elevated as cabinet ministers. The chief minister’s sacking of Prajapati was seen as a bold step but he finally gave in to Mulayam’s commands.

Source: Hindustan Times September 26, 2016 10:00 UTC