Jammu: In a much awaited cabinet reshuffle, BJP leader Kavinder Gupta was here today sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Minister replacing Nirmal Singh who resigned on Sunday evening.
Governor N N Vohra also administered the oath of office and secrecy to BJP ministers Sat Sharma, D K Manyal, Sunil Sharma. Rajiv Jasrotia and Shakti Parihar from the saffron party were also elevated to the cabinet rank. PDP’s Mohd Ashraf Mir and Mohammad Khalil Band were also inducted into the cabinet.
“Party gave me the responsibility to bring in change after three years. I’ll try my best to meet expectations of people and work for Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh. We had entered into an alliance, following people’s mandate. I hope it keeps working for them,” Kavinder Gupta said before the oath ceremony.
The BJP’s decision to revamp the ministerial team comes amidst adverse reports by local RSS and BJP leaders that, in Jammu, the party is seen to have completely surrendered to the PDP, which is strong in Kashmir. The party has also faced backlash after its two ministers took part in a rally in support of those accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.