Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inducts 3 new members in his cabinet

Shivraj Singh Chouhan (2nd R), chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, greets his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters during Chouhan's swearing-in ceremony in the central Indian city of Bhopal December14, 2013. Five months before India's next elections are due, there is already an air of victory around Narendra Modi as he strides from one jam-packed rally to the next. And yet, a regional leader from his Hindu nationalist fold is quietly emerging as an alternative to lead the country. This month, Chouhan notched up a thumping election victory in Madhya Pradesh, a sprawling central state with a population larger than that of France, becoming its chief minister for a third time. Picture taken December 14, 2013. REUTERS/Raj Patidar (INDIA - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS PROFILE) - RTX16O82

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday expanded his Council of Ministers by inducting three new faces ahead of the Assembly polls slated later this year.

BJP legislators Balkrishna Patidar, Narayan Singh Kushwaha and Jalam Singh Patel were inducted as Ministers of State and administered the oath of office by Governor Anandiben Patel at a function in the Raj Bhavan here this morning.

Along with Chouhan, senior ministers of his Cabinet and top officials were present on the occasion.

Patidar, who belongs to the Nimar region, is an MLA from Khargone, while Kushwaha comes from the Gwalior-Chambal region and represents Gwalior South in the Assembly.

Another inductee Jalam Patel hails from Mahakaushal region. The MLA from Narsinghpur, is the younger brother of BJP MP and former Union minister Prahlad Singh Patel.

The expansion is being seen by some as an attempt by the BJP to balance regional aspirations of the people of the state, where Assembly polls are expected by the year-end.

The Congress had opposed the expansion of the Council of Ministers in view of enforcement of the model code of conduct in two Assembly constituencies -- Mungaoli and Kolaras - where bypolls are scheduled on February 24.

The Chouhan government, in its third term, has 20 Cabinet ministers, including the chief minister, and nine Ministers of State. According to constitutional provisions, the state can have a maximum of 35 ministers.

The BJP is in power in Madhya Pradesh since 2003.