Nitish Kumar Likely to Induct New Ministers From NDA Partners Post ‘Khar Maas’

As Bihar joyfully celebrates Makar Sankranti on January 14, 2026, marking the end of the inauspicious 'khar maas'—a period Hindus traditionally consider unsuitable for new beginnings—political circles are buzzing with anticipation over an imminent cabinet expansion by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The conclusion of this month-long phase is widely seen as the opportune time for significant administrative decisions, including the induction of new ministers into the state cabinet.

Following the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) decisive victory in the November 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Nitish Kumar took oath for his record 10th term as Chief Minister, accompanied by 26 ministers. Bihar's cabinet can accommodate a maximum of 36 ministers, leaving nine vacancies. Current distribution includes 14 berths for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), nine for Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), two for Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and one each for Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha. Sources within the NDA indicate that six of the nine available positions are likely to go to JD(U), with the remaining three allocated to the BJP. The elevation of Nitin Nabin as BJP's national working president has further vacated a berth previously held by him.

The upcoming expansion is expected to carefully balance caste equations, a critical factor in Bihar's intricate political landscape. NDA partners are likely to prioritize representation across major caste groups to strengthen their electoral base and maintain coalition harmony. This move comes at a time when the alliance seeks to consolidate its position after a strong mandate.

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With the 'khar maas' period now over, political activity in the state is set to intensify. Nitish Kumar is scheduled to launch the Samriddhi Yatra—a public outreach march—on January 16, 2026, which will continue until January 24. The yatra will cover key districts, including East and West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Muzaffarpur, and Vaishali, aimed at connecting directly with the people and highlighting developmental initiatives.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has returned to Patna after a family holiday and is preparing for a statewide tour starting in February. As both the ruling NDA and opposition gear up for renewed engagement, the post-Makar Sankranti period promises to be a pivotal phase in Bihar's evolving political dynamics.

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