Patna, Bihar, 26 Feb: Ahead of the Bihar budget session scheduled to begin on February 28, the Nitish Kumar-led government is set for a cabinet expansion following the resignation of Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Bihar state president Dilip Jaiswal. The reshuffle is expected to take place either on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, with a new face from the BJP set to be inducted into the cabinet.
Jaiswal Resigns, Paving Way for Expansion
Dilip Jaiswal’s resignation comes in adherence to the BJP’s ‘one person, one post’ policy. Appointed as the Bihar BJP chief in July 2023, Jaiswal had been holding both the party leadership role and a ministerial position in the state government. On February 26, he announced his decision to step down from the cabinet to focus entirely on the party’s organizational work. Following this, his resignation was sent to the Raj Bhavan, and a request was made to the Governor for the swearing-in of new ministers.
Speculation Over New Ministers and Reshuffle
The resignation has triggered intense discussions within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) about new appointments in the cabinet. There is speculation that the government might not only replace Jaiswal but also introduce fresh faces and reshuffle some key portfolios. Sources indicate that ministers handling multiple departments might see a redistribution of responsibilities.
Caste Equations to Play a Key Role
The upcoming expansion is expected to be strategically planned, keeping Bihar’s caste equations in mind, especially with the 2025 assembly elections approaching. According to sources, five to six new ministers may be inducted, with three to four from the BJP quota and one to two from the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) quota. Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s party is demanding representation in the new cabinet.
Among the probable candidates, two ministers are likely to be from the upper castes (Rajput and Bhumihar), two from the extremely backward class (EBC), and one from the backward class (OBC). There is also a strong possibility of a Kurmi representative being included. This caste-based balancing act is aimed at consolidating the NDA’s support base ahead of the elections.
Final Decision Awaited
While there is no official confirmation on the timing of the cabinet expansion, sources suggest it will happen soon. The political developments will play a crucial role in shaping Bihar’s governance and setting the tone for the NDA’s strategy leading to the next elections.
Keep Reading questiqaIndia for the latest news updates and Get more News Headlines on our Social Platforms Do Follow.
