Bihar Cabinet Formation: Nitish Kumar's New Government Takes Shape with BJP Alliance

New Delhi:

A comprehensive agreement has been reached regarding the formation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet in Bihar. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for November 20. According to sources, leaders from Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United have engaged in discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda in Delhi.

Sources indicate there is potential for a woman to be appointed as Deputy Chief Minister.

The cabinet composition will address regional balances and include representatives from all alliance parties, rather than focusing on a single party. Two new parties will receive ministerial positions, with Chirag Paswan's and Upendra Kushwaha's parties securing representation.

Regarding caste distribution, the previous administration included 11 upper castes, 10 OBCs, seven EBCs, five Dalits, two Mahadalits, and one Muslim minister.

Currently, the NDA alliance comprises 15 Yadav MLAs, 23 Kurmis, 19 Kushwahas, 23 Vaishyas, 31 Rajputs, 15 Bhumihar, 15 Brahmin, 2 Kayasthas, 10 Extremely Backward Class, 34 SC, one tribal, and one Muslim MLAs. Sources reveal that cabinet positions will be allocated based on these demographic figures.

The BJP may select a Speaker and two Deputy Chief Ministers to maintain caste equilibrium. Sources suggest that if the Speaker represents an upper caste, the Deputy Chief Minister could come from an OBC/EBC or Dalit background, or vice versa.

Bihar can appoint a maximum of 36 ministers including the Chief Minister, and some positions might be left vacant initially. As the largest party, the BJP is expected to receive the greatest number of ministerial berths.

The outgoing government consisted of 21 ministers from BJP, 13 from JDU (including the Chief Minister), one from HAM, and one Independent.

In the new cabinet, Chirag Paswan may receive two ministerial positions and Upendra Kushwaha one. Sources mention Raju Tiwari from Paswan's party is being considered for a ministerial position. Additionally, Upendra Kushwaha's wife, Snehlata Kushwaha, might become a minister.

Regionally, the alliance performed strongly in Shahabad, Magadh, Mithila, and Saran areas, which will receive appropriate representation. Several ministers from the current administration may be reappointed.

Sources indicate the new cabinet might include BJP's Nitin Naveen, Sanjay Sarawagi, Jibesh Mishra, Nitish Mishra, Dr. Sunil Kumar, and Vijay Kumar Mandal. Former Union Minister Ramkripal Yadav, who won in this election, may also join the cabinet.

From JDU, Shravan Kumar, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Ashok Chaudhary, and Bijendra Prasad Yadav may return as ministers. There are also discussions about potentially including Randhir Singh, son of former MP Prabhunath Singh.

"All preparations have been completed for the oath ceremony... This is the swearing-in ceremony of a new chapter of development in Bihar," stated BJP leader Nitin Nabin.

"Arrangements are being made to create a celebratory atmosphere... Chief Ministers from various states are attending. The Prime Minister, Home Minister, and several Union Ministers will be present... Bihar will celebrate this occasion like a festival," he added.