NEW DELHI, April 7 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday secured the approval of Congress president Sonia Gandhi for filling up the four vacancies in his Council of Ministers.
The Chief Minister called on Gandhi this morning and the meeting lasted for about 20 minutes. He briefed the Congress president on the latest political developments in the State and the way BJP is trying to expand its base in the State.
Though the list of new ministers was not finalised at the meeting with Gandhi, the list is likely to be finalised during his meeting with AICC general secretary Dr C P Joshi scheduled later this evening. The list would again be forwarded to the Congress chief for final clearance.
The Chief Minister later confirmed to the waiting newsmen that he got the approval of the Congress president for the ministry expansion, which is scheduled after the Bihu festival.
Gogoi further said that new faces would be given priority and there is a possiblity of a representative from the Barak Valley.
The decision to confine the selection process to new faces has put paid to the reports that the Chief Minister was keen to re-induct two of his all-time favourites Pradyut Bordoloi and Gautam Roy. Gogoi is also under pressure to bring back Roy to take on the BJP in Barak Valley.
