As the intense speculation in political and administrative circles about possible further Cabinet changes in the coming days were making rounds. On Tuesday late night, major decision was taken by Dr Mohan Yadav government. Minister of State (Independent Charge) Lakhan Patel of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development has been stripped of this portfolio. Now he will hold only the Anand (Happiness) Department. A gazette notification in this regard was issued by the Madhya Pradesh Government late on Tuesday late night. With this, charge of the department has been shifted to the Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav. There were speculation since long time overhaul may be take place in ministry. It is learnt that the move could be part of a upcoming strategy to strengthen key departments under the Chief Minister’s direct supervision ahead of important policy initiatives in the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors. Notably, last month one-on-one meetings with members of his Council of Ministers to review their performance and that of their respective departments was held.

 

This move has given momentum to potential new inductions or portfolio reallocations and possibly cabinet expansion after Datia by poll in state. Chief Minister Yadav has now taken direct charge of 11 departments. These include General Administration, Home, Jail, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Public Relations, Narmada Valley Development, Aviation, Minerals, Public Service Management, Overseas Indians, and Animal Husbandry and Dairy. A science graduate, B.Sc. in Agriculture from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Patel is a second-term MLA representing Patharia in Damoh district. He served for several years in the State Bank of India (SBI) before resigning to focus on politics. He also served as Chairman of the District Co-operative Central Bank. Patel first time contested election in 2013 from Pathariya. The OBC leader from the Bundelkhand region was among the first-time legislators inducted into the cabinet after the BJP’s victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. Patel is second minister in Mohan Yadav government who has been withdrawn from their key portfolio after the forest and environment portfolios was taken away from Cabinet Minister Nagar Singh Chouhan last year.