Patna: The eagerly awaited cabinet expansion of the NDA government in Bihar is scheduled to occur on Thursday, signaling a significant development in the state’s political landscape. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with the successful candidates of the Legislative Council from the NDA quota, is slated to receive certificates at 3 pm, followed by the anticipated cabinet extension.
According to sources, the ministers from the JD (U) quota are expected to retain their positions, with the exception of Sanjay Jha, who will be replaced by Maheshwar Hazari. The impending extension follows the resolution of seat-sharing issues among NDA constituents in Bihar, finalized in Delhi on Wednesday, with five seats allocated to Chirag Paswan.
The cabinet expansion, pending since January, marks a pivotal moment in Bihar’s political trajectory. After severing ties with the Grand Alliance, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar forged an alliance with the BJP, culminating in the formation of the NDA government in Bihar on January 28. Nitish assumed the CM’s office for the ninth time, accompanied by eight ministers, including BJP state president Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha as deputy CMs.
The last cabinet expansion took place on February 3, with Nitish retaining five ministries and distributing portfolios among his deputy CMs and ministers. As the NDA government gears up for another expansion after a month and a half, speculations abound regarding potential ministerial appointments.
Sources suggest that Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party MP Prince Raj may join the Bihar cabinet, aligning with the agreed formula for seat distribution in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. However, official confirmation is pending, fueling anticipation ahead of the expansion on Thursday evening.
Amidst anticipation, names such as Nitin Nabeen, Mangal Pandey, Lacey Singh, and Ashok Chaudhary are rumored contenders for ministerial roles, with expectations of new faces emerging to fill OBC and EBC categories. The impending cabinet expansion holds significance for Bihar’s political landscape, with all eyes set on the announcements expected on Thursday, revealing the state’s new ministerial lineup.
