Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to enhance the strength of his cabinet with the addition of new ministers, and the cabinet secretariat is expected to issue a notification detailing the portfolio distribution on Monday evening, according to news agency PTI. The move comes after Nitish Kumar chaired a meeting of his cabinet to allocate portfolios, which was attended by leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Following the meeting, NDA constituents remained discreet about the specifics of the portfolio distribution.
Among those who were sworn in as ministers on Sunday were Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Prem Kumar, and Janata Dal (United) leaders Shravan Kumar, Vijendra Yadav, and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, along with Hindustan Awam Morcha’s Santosh Kumar Suman and Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh.
Reports suggest that the cabinet will witness further expansion in the next couple of days to include legislators from different castes, minority groups, and women. BJP leaders hinted at this expansion, and it is expected to accommodate prominent figures such as Shahnawaz Hussain, Nitin Nabin, Rampreet Paswan, Janak Ram, Shreyashi Singh from the BJP, and Sunil Kumar Singh, Madan Sahni, Lesi Singh, Sheila Mandal, Jayant Raj, Ashok Choudhary, and Sanjay Jha from JD(U).
Simultaneously, the BJP has submitted a notice of a no-confidence motion against the Speaker of the assembly, Awadh Bihari Chaudhary of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The motion, signed by legislators from both the BJP and JD(U), questions the confidence in the present speaker, citing the change in government. The BJP is reportedly looking to secure the post of Assembly Speaker, and names like Nand Kishore Yadav and Amrendra Pratap Singh are being considered for the role, as per PTI sources.
Nitish Kumar, while asserting the unity of the NDA, emphasized that there is no question of leaving the alliance. “I was with them (NDA) earlier, too. We went on different paths, but now we are together and will remain so. I came back to where I was (NDA), and now there is no question of going anywhere else,” stated the Chief Minister. His commitment to the NDA is pivotal as the political landscape in Bihar continues to witness shifts and realignments.
The cabinet expansion and reshuffle are strategic moves aimed at ensuring a more representative and inclusive government. By including members from diverse backgrounds, Nitish Kumar aims to strike a balance and address the concerns of various sections of the society. The distribution of portfolios will be closely watched, as it will reflect the priorities and focus areas of the new government.
The no-confidence motion against the Speaker adds a layer of political dynamics to the scenario. If successful, it could pave the way for a new Speaker aligned with the current government. The BJP’s interest in securing the post indicates its desire to play a significant role in the legislative affairs and proceedings.
As Nitish Kumar navigates the complexities of cabinet expansion, portfolio distribution, and alliance dynamics, his leadership will be crucial in maintaining stability and governance in Bihar. The political developments in the state will not only impact local governance but may also have implications at the national level, given the alliances and affiliations involved.
In the coming days, as the cabinet takes shape and the assembly dynamics unfold, Bihar is likely to witness political maneuvering and strategic alignments. The decisions made in this process will shape the trajectory of the new government and set the tone for governance in the state in the foreseeable future.