Bihar Cabinet Formation: Suspense Over Who Gets What Ahead Of Thursday Swearing-In | Elections News

A file photo of Nitish Kumar (Credit: PTI)

With just a day left for the oath-taking ceremony of the new Bihar government, bargaining over the two Deputy Chief Minister posts and the Speaker’s post has intensified within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The swearing-in is scheduled for November 20, but leaders of the JD(U) and the BJP are yet to resolve their differences over key positions, keeping the final power-sharing formula shrouded in suspense.

According to PTI sources, both parties are aggressively pushing for the Speaker’s chair, a post held by BJP’s Nand Kishore Yadav in the outgoing Assembly, while JD(U)’s Narendra Narayan Yadav served as Deputy Speaker. Senior JD(U) and BJP leaders have been holding a flurry of meetings in Delhi, with the Speakership and top cabinet portfolios dominating discussions.

Names doing the rounds for the Speaker’s post include JD(U) veteran Vijay Choudhary and senior BJP leader Prem Kumar, PTI reported. Alongside the tug-of-war, the broader cabinet structure is also being negotiated. The new ministry is expected to include five to six fresh faces from the two main alliance partners. JD(U)’s state unit chief Umesh Singh Kushwaha, who won from Mahnar, is among those likely to be inducted when Nitish Kumar takes oath as chief minister for a record tenth term.

The NDA swept back to power with 202 seats in the 243-member House with BJP bagging 89, JD(U) 85, LJP (RV) 19, HAM-S 5 and RLM 4. While JD(U) is expected to retain most of its existing ministers, the BJP is likely to bring in several new faces, sources mentioned. Smaller allies, Chirag Paswan’s LJP (RV), Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM-S and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM, are also set to find representation.

Sources said the LJP (RV) may receive three cabinet berths, while HAM-S and RLM could get one each. Up to 16 BJP ministers and 14 from JD(U), along with Nitish Kumar, are expected to take oath on November 20.

JD(U) insiders said the party is seeking a stronger presence in the new cabinet, arguing that its improved tally compared to 2020 warrants additional portfolios. “We had only 12 ministers last time. With our numbers up sharply, we expect more representation,” a JD(U) source told PTI.

Meanwhile, Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan, the venue for the swearing-in, has been shut to the public until November 20. Heavy security has been deployed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend, along with top NDA leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.