Patna: Signs of an imminent cabinet expansion in Bihar have intensified after senior leaders of the ruling alliance held a series of meetings with the former chief minister, Nitish Kumar, at his new official residence.
Kumar recently vacated the long-standing chief ministerial residence at 1 Aney Marg and moved to 7 Circular Road, a shift that political observers view as more than administrative. The relocation has coincided with a flurry of high-level meetings, fuelling speculation of an impending political reshuffle.
On Saturday, Samrat Choudhary, accompanied by fellow deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, met Kumar at the new residence. The meeting lasted around 20 minutes and, according to sources, included discussions on cabinet expansion and the distribution of portfolios.
Earlier in the day, Kumar also held talks with another senior leader, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, as well as former minister Ashok Choudhary. The succession of meetings has added to growing political speculation in the state.
The urgency around a cabinet reshuffle has been building since mid-April, when departmental responsibilities were concentrated in the hands of the chief minister and his deputies. The opposition, led by Tejashwi Yadav, has repeatedly criticised the arrangement, questioning the delay in expanding the cabinet.
Sources suggest that any expansion is likely to take place after the declaration of assembly election results in five states. Insiders indicate that the new cabinet may largely feature experienced leaders, with limited induction of new faces, reflecting an emphasis on administrative continuity and political balance.
Attention has also turned to Vijay Kumar Sinha, whose previous tenure included key portfolios such as revenue and land reforms, and mines. Some of his earlier decisions were revisited by the current administration, alongside departmental changes including the transfer of senior officials.
Whether Sinha will be reinstated in similar roles or assigned new responsibilities remains unclear. However, taken together, Kumar’s relocation and the recent round of meetings point to a shifting political landscape in Bihar, with a cabinet expansion expected to shape the next phase of governance in the state.
