Rabri Devi ministry encounters trouble

The five-day-old Rabri Devi ministry in Bihar ran into rough weather when one of its legislators, Ashok Kumar Singh refused to take the oath of office and secrecy as a minister of state.

Alleging that the expansion ignored the ability, loyalty and seniority of the members, Singh said, "Junior members were made cabinet ministers. Hence there is no question of my taking charge as a minister of state."

Expressing full faith in Rashtriya Janata Dal president Laloo Prasad Yadav and Devi, he reiterated that he would serve the party as a legislator.

Earlier in the day, the Rabri Devi ministry was expanded with the induction of 61 new ministers.

Bihar Governor A R Kidwai administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at a function held at Raj Bhavan.

Twentytwo of the newly inducted ministries are of cabinet rank and the remaining 38 of deputy minister rank. Only three women have been given representation in the ministry.

With the induction of the new ministers, the strength of the Rashtriya Janata Dal ministry has gone up to 75.

On July 25, Devi was sworn in along with 13 cabinet rank ministers.

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