Intense negotiations among National Democratic Alliance partners in Bihar reached a tentative resolution on Tuesday regarding the distribution of critical constitutional and ministerial positions in the incoming cabinet, with the Bharatiya Janata Party poised to retain the Assembly Speaker's post despite initial claims from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United). Sources indicated that two senior BJP leaders are under active consideration for the role, with a final decision slated for the party's legislature meeting in Patna on Wednesday.
The JD(U) initially sought the Speaker's position but conceded after advocating for a Deputy Chief Minister slot; however, the BJP is now expected to secure both Deputy Chief Minister berths, introducing fresh leadership to those roles. Prominent contenders include eight-term MLA Prem Kumar from Gaya Town as the leading candidate for Speaker, while potential Deputy Chief Ministers encompass Mangal Pandey, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed figure and former health minister, alongside Sanjiv Chaurasia and Vijay Kumar Sinha, reflecting the party's intent to blend experience with new energy.
Following a protracted three-hour deliberation between JD(U) representatives and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a broad consensus emerged on the cabinet's composition: 16 ministers from the BJP, 14 from the JD(U), three from Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and one each from Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha, excluding the Chief Minister's position. This allocation underscores the NDA's effort to maintain equilibrium among its constituents while accommodating the BJP's dominance with 89 assembly seats.
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Despite persistent pressure from the BJP for Nitish Kumar to relinquish the Home portfolio—a key department overseeing law enforcement and internal security—the Chief Minister remains resolute in retaining it, a stance he has upheld since 2005 to consolidate control over state governance. This standoff highlights underlying tensions within the alliance, even as other portfolios like Finance and Health are open to redistribution.
Nitish Kumar conducted an on-site inspection of preparations at Patna's Gandhi Maidan for the November 20 oath-taking ceremony, anticipated to draw Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and other senior NDA figures. On Wednesday, he will formally resign as head of the outgoing government, paving the way for his record 10th term as Chief Minister, with the new administration set to address Bihar's pressing developmental priorities amid the alliance's recent electoral triumph.
Also Read: Nitish Kumar Resigns Ahead of Fresh NDA Government, Swearing-In on November 20