Bihar’s New NDA Government Postpones Budget Session in Maiden Cabinet Meeting

Patna: The newly formed NDA government in Bihar, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, conducted its first cabinet meeting on Monday. One of the key decisions made during the meeting was to postpone the budget session originally scheduled for February 5, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar authorizing the move.

A total of four agendas received approval, setting the tone for the government’s priorities. Sources close to the developments revealed that the much-anticipated cabinet expansion is likely to take place later this week.

Insiders further disclosed that CM Nitish is expected to retain the home department, and the formation and allocation of departments will align with the structure observed in 2020 during the previous NDA government in Bihar.

CM Nitish presided over the meeting in Patna, with Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, along with other ministers, in attendance. The gathering marked a crucial moment in the wake of Nitish’s seismic political shift on Sunday when he severed ties with the Mahagathbandhan alliance, comprising the Opposition-backed INDIA bloc, and realigned with the BJP-led NDA.

Nitish’s decision to break away from the Mahagathbandhan was followed by his resignation as Bihar Chief Minister, only to take oath later in the day as the Chief Minister of the Janata Dal (United)-BJP combine for an unprecedented ninth term. The JD(U) characterized the move as “back to where I was” and affirmed Nitish’s commitment to the NDA alliance.

Alongside Nitish and the two Deputy Chief Ministers, BJP’s Prem Kumar, JD(U) leaders Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Shravan Kumar, and Vijendra Yadav, Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Santosh Kumar Suman, and Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh were sworn in as ministers.

Nitish, Samrat Chaudhary, and Santosh Kumar Suman are Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs). Nitish, addressing reporters on Sunday, indicated that the Bihar cabinet’s expansion would take place within the next few days, with multiple factors influencing the decision-making process.