Jharkhand cabinet likely to be expanded ahead of December 9 special session

Jharkhand Congress President Keshav Mahato Kamlesh on Sunday met Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday to discuss the long-awaited cabinet expansion.
With a special session of the state assembly scheduled for December 9, speculation is growing that the council of ministers will be formed before the session begins. The government is also expected to seek a trust vote during this session.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who took the oath of office on November 28, indicated during the first cabinet meeting that the expansion would take place. Sources suggest that the swearing-in of new ministers is likely in the coming days.
The coalition government, led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has agreed on a distribution of cabinet berths. Of the 12 positions, the JMM, including the chief minister, will take seven seats, the Congress four, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) one. The Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation (CPIML), which won two seats, has decided not to join the government but will offer outside support.
While the JMM has reportedly finalised its six names for cabinet positions, the Congress and RJD are reportedly deliberating.
The Congress, which won 16 seats, faces intense competition for its four cabinet berths. The party’s central leadership is considering a range of criteria, including representation based on caste, tribe, gender, and minority status, to ensure balanced representation.
In line with tradition, the Congress central leadership is expected to finalise the names for the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader and ministers. Meanwhile, lobbying among Congress MLAs and leaders is underway in Delhi, with contenders highlighting their seniority, experience, and other credentials to secure a cabinet position.