The Congress party has taken its battle with the ruling BJP in Chhattisgarh to the legal arena, filing a writ petition in the state High Court against what it calls an “unconstitutional” cabinet expansion.
The petition challenges Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s decision to induct three more ministers last month, raising the cabinet’s strength to 14 members.
Sushil Anand Shukla, who heads the state Congress’s communication wing, said the move goes beyond what the Constitution permits. “Without seeking any constitutional permission, the state government inducted 14 members,” he stated, confirming that the matter is now before the court and scheduled for hearing next week.
Constitutional Limit Under Spotlight
The controversy stems from the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, which stipulates that a state’s Council of Ministers cannot exceed 15 per cent of the strength of the Legislative Assembly. Since Chhattisgarh has a 90-member House, the ceiling is 13 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
For 2 decades, successive governments in Chhattisgarh have adhered to this cap, keeping the cabinet at 13. The latest expansion, the Congress argues, disregards both precedent and constitutional safeguards.
Opposition Escalates Pressure
Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant had earlier written to Governor Ramen Deka, urging him to intervene. In his letter, Mahant demanded that one minister be removed to bring the cabinet in line with constitutional provisions.
He maintained that ignoring the 15% ceiling not only breached legal boundaries but also weakened public trust in governance.
State Govt Defends Expansion
The BJP government has pushed back against the criticism. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao insisted that the expansion complied with procedure and was not a constitutional breach. He drew comparisons with Haryana, another state with a 90-member assembly that also functions with a 14-member cabinet.
By invoking this precedent, Sao dismissed the Congress’s challenge as politically driven, aimed more at cornering the ruling party than at protecting constitutional principles.
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