10-member cabinet formed in Uttarakhand

After days of uncertainty set off by in-house rebellion, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Tuesday expanded his cabinet by inducting 10 members including one member each of BSP and UKD and two independent MLAs who helped Congress gain majority in the assembly.

The swearing-in function was delayed by more than an hour, apparently due to protest by Dinesh Dhanai, an independent MLA from Tehri who wanted a cabinet berth.

Dhanai, who was not present at the function, said "I am feeling cheated as it was I who had first recommended the name of Bahuguna (for chief ministership)."

Governor Margaret Alva administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at the ONGC stadium. Besides, Bahuguna, Congress general secretary incharge of party affairs in the state Chaudhary Birendra Singh and senior party leader Satpal Maharaj were also present.

Union Minister Harish Rawat, who had raised a banner of revolt against Bahuguna's leadership, was not present and sent his representative to the event.

Those who took oath as ministers are Indira Hridayesh, Yashpal Arya, Pritam Singh, S S Negi, Amrita Rawat and Dinesh Agarwal (all from Congress), two independents Mantri Prasad Naithani and Harish Durgapal, Pritam SIngh Panwar, the lone MLA from Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) and Surendra Rakesh of BSP.