After Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called on Governor Anandiben Patel here on Friday morning, there was intense speculation about a possible expansion of the cabinet to accommodate new allies in Uttar Pradesh council of ministers. The momentum for cabinet expansion gathered steam following the finalisation of seat allocations among allies during the Bharatiya Janata Party Parliamentary Board meeting, held in New Delhi on Thursday night. Sources say that the BJP has agreed to allocate six Lok Sabha seats to its allies, distributing them among key partners, including Om Prakash Rajbhars Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (one seat), Apna Dal (Sonelal) (two seats), NISHAD Party (one seat), and Rashtriya Lok Dal (two seats) in Uttar Pradesh. After a crucial meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board in Delhi, the anticipation surrounding the expansion of the cabinet in Uttar Pradesh has reached new heights. The recent meeting between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel on Friday has added fuel to the speculation, suggesting that the expansion might unfold within the next one or two days. The list of potential ministerial candidates includes Om Prakash Rajbhar and Dara Singh Chauhan, the two legislators who had parted ways with the Samajwadi Party alliance and joined the National Democratic Alliance. Inclusion of Chauhan in the cabinet is imminent because after he lost the bye-election he was made MLC in the recent Legislative council election.  Discussions are also going on regarding the possible inclusion of a leader from the RLD into the Yogi council of ministers. Frustration among the allies has been growing as Om Prakash Rajbhar, the national president of the SBSP, has expressed his discontent by declaring that he will not celebrate Holi if his demand for a ministerial berth is not met. The statement shows Rajbhars annoyance because his aspiration for a ministerial position in the Uttar Pradesh government remains unfulfilled. Venting his frustration publicly, Rajbhar has not shied away from airing his grievances on multiple occasions, with his latest ultimatum of boycotting Holi serving as a potent expression of discontent.

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