(Image source from: Akhilesh Yadav to bolster his team of ministers today})

Ahead of the 2014 General Poll campaign, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has decided to expand his Cabinet, revealed official sources on Thursday. The crucial cabinet expansion is likely to be held today.

"Preparations for Cabinet expansion have started at Raj Bhawan and it will he held Wednesday," a senior official told a news agency.
 
After eviction of Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya and Raja Ram Pandey from the Cabinet , four seats have been lying vacant.

There are presently 56 ministers in Akhilesh Yadav's Cabinet. After the expansion, the strength is expected to  go up by 60.

While Raja Bhaiya stepped down from his post after he was accused in Kunda Deputy SP Zia-ul-Haq murder case, Pandey was booted out from the Cabinet after he made chauvinist attack on a woman officer in Sultanpur.

While party sources believe that the two state ministers could be re-inducted as cabinet ministers, chances appear grim for Raja Bhaiya after Supreme Court's decision to keep tainted ministers out of power.

In the meantime, Samajwadi Party has called on its party MLAs, office bearers and Lok Sabha candidates to sit and review poll preparedness and select ministers.

AW: Suchorita Dutta