Patna: The process of forming a new government in Bihar under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is moving quickly after the election of the legislative party leader. According to sources, Nitish Kumar is expected to take oath as the Chief Minister on November 20. This will be his tenth term as the Chief Minister of Bihar. Around 20 ministers from five NDA parties are likely to take oath with him. Although the NDA has a strong majority with 202 MLAs, the remaining ministers will be added later after the floor test in the Assembly.
Talks are taking place between JDU and BJP leaders to finalise the list of ministers. JDU Working President Sanjay Jha and Union Minister Lallan Singh met Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss the names of ministers and the number of cabinet seats each party will receive. The decision on the number of Deputy Chief Ministers is also likely to be taken in consultation with Amit Shah. Shah is expected to reach Patna on Wednesday evening to finalise the list of BJP ministers. BJP’s election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan will arrive in Patna on Tuesday to complete the preparations.
Earlier, there was speculation that 35 ministers would take oath together, especially after reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi might attend the swearing-in ceremony. Discussions suggested that the cabinet could include 15–16 BJP ministers, 14–15 JDU ministers, 2–3 from Chirag Paswan’s LJP-R, and one each from the parties of Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha. However, sources now say that the government will follow the traditional method: first a floor test, then cabinet expansion. In the first list of about 20 ministers, BJP and JDU together may get around 14–16 posts, while Paswan, Manjhi and Kushwaha together may get around four.
Wednesday will be an important day in Patna. Separate meetings of JDU and BJP MLAs will be held first, during which they will elect their legislative party leaders. LJP-R has already elected Raju Tiwari as its leader, while HAM has chosen Praful Manjhi. Upendra Kushwaha has been authorised by RLSP MLAs to choose their leader. After the meetings of all parties, the NDA legislative party will gather and elect the alliance leader. Following this, Nitish Kumar will go to the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the new government in Bihar.
