The Uttar Pradesh State Cabinet underwent a much-delayed expansion on Sunday with the induction of key figures into the Yogi Adityanath-led government. With the state headed to the polls next year, the composition of the new set of ministers reflects the BJP’s widening social and regional outreach.

The decision came after the Assembly elections in four states concluded and the swearing-in ceremony of new CM Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday, which CM Adityanath attended. The BJP’s central leadership is learnt to have given its nod.

The number of ministers in the state Cabinet has risen from 54, including the CM, to 60 — the upper limit.

Sanjay Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and the State Information Department, confirmed that the swearing-in will begin at Jan Bhavan in the state capital from 3 pm onwards.

Among the new ministers is former state BJP president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary. A K Sharma, known to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been removed from the post following a stir over smart prepaid power meters over ‘inflated’ power bills, and the state government having to withdraw these meters

Hansraj Vishwakarma is another leader among the new ministers. An OBC leader and Member of the Legislative Council, Vishwakarma, hails from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency of Varanasi. He is known to be an active party worker, having worked at the booth level and participated actively in the Ram temple movement. PM Modi had mentioned his name for his role in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha election campaigning in the constituency.