Patna: The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar cabinet is likely to be expanded anytime after January 15, with the process expected to conclude by January 30. Four new faces from the BJP are set to join the cabinet, reducing the number of departments held by existing BJP ministers. These additional portfolios will be distributed among the new ministers.
The expansion is expected to prioritize MLAs from Patna, Tirhut, and Saran divisions. At present, the Bihar government comprises 30 ministers, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. Out of these, 15 ministers, including the two deputy CMs, are from the BJP quota. The cabinet also includes Santosh Kumar Suman from Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh.
With a legislative assembly limit of 36 ministerial positions, six slots remain vacant, paving the way for new appointments.
Same caste, new faces
While new ministers will join the cabinet, caste representation is expected to remain unchanged, with MLAs or MLCs of similar caste profiles likely to replace outgoing ministers. The reshuffle will also involve reassigning some departments currently handled by ministers with multiple portfolios.
Currently, 10 ministers, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, hold more than one department. Nitish oversees five departments, while Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary holds two key portfolios—finance and commerce. Vijay Kumar Sinha, the other Deputy CM, manages three departments: road construction, mines and geology, and art, culture, and youth.
Other ministers with multiple departments include JD(U)’s Vijay Kumar Chaudhary (water resources and parliamentary affairs) and Prem Kumar (cooperation and environment). Bijendra Yadav oversees energy and planning and development, while BJP’s Mangal Pandey manages health and agriculture. Nitish Mishra handles industries and tourism, and Nitin Naveen oversees urban development and law.
BJP state president election
The expansion coincides with the BJP’s internal elections for the state president. Dr. Dilip Jaiswal is expected to file his nomination on January 18, with his election seen as a formality. Once elected, Jaiswal’s term will extend until 2028.
This reshuffle and internal organizational developments come as Bihar braces for assembly elections later this year, with both coalition partners and opposition parties maneuvering to strengthen their positions.
