Is Bihar Going For Cabinet Expansion? Strategic Reshuffle Likely Ahead Of Elections

Presently, the Bihar cabinet comprises 30 ministers, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and two Deputy Chief Ministers, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. 

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is preparing for a cabinet expansion ahead of elections.

Source : IPRD

Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is preparing for a cabinet expansion. Sources suggest this expansion may occur before the budget session, potentially introducing six to seven new faces into the cabinet.

Current Cabinet Composition

Presently, the Bihar cabinet comprises 30 ministers, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and two Deputy Chief Ministers, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. 

The cabinet can constitutionally accommodate up to 36 ministers, leaving room for the inclusion of new members. Reports suggest that the expansion may see three-four new ministers from the BJP and two-three from the JD(U) joining the cabinet. Given the impending elections, careful attention will be paid to caste and regional representation during this process.

This strategic cabinet reshuffle underscores the state's commitment to balanced representation and efficient governance as it gears up for the forthcoming elections.

Maintaining Caste Balance in Cabinet Expansion

The upcoming cabinet expansion aims to reflect Bihar's diverse social fabric. Sources say that two ministers may be appointed from upper castes, possibly one each from the Rajput and Bhumihar communities. Additionally, two individuals from extremely backward castes might be inducted, with one likely representing the Teli community. Another ministerial position could be allocated to a member from the backward classes.

Reduction of Multiple Portfolios

Several current ministers oversee multiple departments. To streamline governance, it's likely that some of these portfolios will be reassigned to new ministers. 

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha manages three departments: Road Construction, Mines & Geology, and Art, Culture & Youth. Similarly, Minister Santosh Suman oversees Information Technology, Minor Water Resources, and Disaster Management. Other ministers, including Mangal Pandey, Nitish Mishra, and Prem Kumar, handle two departments each.

BJP's' One Leader, One Post' Policy

BJP state president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal might resign from his ministerial position due to the party's 'one leader, one post' policy. This principle mandates that an individual cannot hold multiple positions simultaneously. When Samrat Choudhary became Deputy Chief Minister, he relinquished his role as state president. Similarly, Jaiswal may need to vacate his ministerial post as he was chosen as the party's state president on January 18.