By Our Special Correspondent
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that there will be a cabinet reshuffle on August 3 following the arrest of Trinamool Congress leader Partha Chatterjee, who was suspended as the minister in charge of four departments, and the death of two senior politicians, Subrata Mukherjee and Sadhan Pandey. She also announced formation of seven new districts in the state.
After holding the cabinet meeting on Monday, the CM said that five to six new faces will be inducted into his cabinet and some ministers will be removed and given organizational responsibilities.
"We will have to reshuffle the cabinet as Partha Chatterjee is on the back foot and senior ministers like Mukherjee and Pandey have passed away," Mamata said, dismissing speculation that she would dissolve the entire cabinet and swear in a fresh one.
Mamata said that after the death of two senior ministers, she was in charge of many departments. “I can't do everything. We have to divide the work,” she said.
Chatterjee, who is a key member of the cabinet, is expected to reshuffle as the ruling party feels that the legal battle will continue for a long time.
Chatterjee was arrested in connection with a recruitment scam in schools during his tenure as Education Minister.
Before his arrest, Chatterjee held key portfolios including Commerce and Industry and Parliamentary Affairs. The ruling party changed the district presidents and chairmen and handed over the responsibilities to new faces. "There will be more changes in the party's district-level line-up," said a senior TMC leader.
The Mamata Banerjee government on Monday decided to create seven new districts in the state. Mamata said that North 24-Parganas will be formed into two new districts. “Out of South 24-Parganas, Sundarbans will be a new district.
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