Bhopal, July 15 (IANS) In a surprise move, the Madhya Pradesh government has issued a gazette notification withdrawing the Animal Husbandry Department from Minister Lakhan Patel.

Following the late-night reshuffle, Patel will now hold charge of only the “Happiness Department” ministry.

The Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, has taken direct charge of the Animal Husbandry department. No official reason has been given by the government for this decision, triggering intense speculation in political and administrative circles about possible further cabinet changes in the coming days.

Government insiders said the move could be part of a larger strategy to strengthen key departments under the Chief Minister’s direct supervision ahead of important policy initiatives in the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors.

The development has also sparked discussions about potential new inductions or portfolio reallocations in the coming weeks.

Chief Minister Yadav has now taken direct charge of 11 departments. These include General Administration, Home, Jail, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Public Relations, Narmada Valley Development, Aviation, Minerals, Public Service Management, Overseas Indians, and Animal Husbandry and Dairy.

With this development, no other minister holds responsibility for these departments.

Lakhan Patel, a senior BJP leader and MLA from Pathariya Assembly constituency in Damoh district, has had a distinguished career before entering active politics. He holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur (1978-79 session). He served for several years in the State Bank of India (SBI) before resigning to focus on politics. He also served as Chairman of the District Cooperative Central Bank.

Patel made his electoral debut in 2013 when the BJP fielded him from Pathariya. He won the seat and entered the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly for the first time. He faced defeat in the 2018 elections but staged a strong comeback in 2023 by winning the seat again. He was subsequently inducted into Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s cabinet as a Minister of State with independent charge.

This unexpected portfolio change has become the subject of considerable discussion within the state’s political circles.

–IANS

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