NDA maps Bihar cabinet as government formation gains pace
NDA maps Bihar cabinet as government formation gains pace
NDA partners sketch a cabinet formula—one minister per six MLAs—with slots for RLM, HAM(S), and LJP(RV), as deputy posts may shift.
The process of government formation in Bihar is picking up pace as NDA partners begin to shape the contours of a cabinet formula. Early discussions point to a roughly one ministerial berth for every six MLAs to ensure balanced representation across the alliance. The bloc includes BJP, JD(U), RLM, and HAM(S), with one slot likely to go to RLM and HAM(S) each, three to LJP(RV), and the remaining 30–31 divided between BJP and JD(U). Adjustments could come, and changes to the two deputy chief minister posts are also on the table, according to senior party sources.
The arrangement must respect the constitutional cap, which allows up to 15% of the assembly’s strength for cabinet berths. Bihar has 243 seats, meaning a maximum of 36 ministers, including the chief minister. The NDA’s election victory tally—202 seats—gives the alliance ample room to distribute portfolios as it sees fit. The outgoing government had 36 ministers (21 from BJP, 13 from JD(U), one from HAM(S), and one Independent), a benchmark that party leaders are weighing against the new blueprint.
A senior JD(U) leader indicated that the blueprint for the cabinet is being finalised and is expected to be ready soon, with talks intensifying in Patna among top NDA figures, including Union Minister Nityanand Rai and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The pace of discussions signals that a formal cabinet announcement could come ahead of key timelines reported in other updates, as negotiations stress balance among allies while keeping a clear path toward governance. The cabinet plan also overlaps with broader party calculations ahead of the assembly’s term, as leaders gauge how to translate victory into stable administration for Bihar’s next phase of governance.
Cover image source: Chirag Paswan shares major update on Bihar govt formation: 'Blueprint will be ready by...' 🔗
