Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday inducted 17 new ministers to his Cabinet. The 17 ministers include 9 from the BJP and 8 from the Janata Dal (United). Governor Phagu Chauhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at Raj Bhavan here.
The much-awaited expansion of Nitish Kumar's cabinet comes 80 days after he was sworn-in as Chief Minister for the fifth time.The new ministers are: Shahnawaz Hussain, Nitin Naveen, Subhash Singh, Bhagirathi Devi, Krishna Kuma Rishi.
The difference is a reminder of reversed power equations in the ruling alliance after the Assembly election held in October-November 2020. The NDA formed the government with 125 seats in a closely-contested poll last year. It secured 122 seats in the 243 seats Legislative Assembly. The Grand Alliance of the RJD and Congress won 110 seats. The BJP is the most lag constituent of the alliance with 74 seats. The JDU has 43 members. Other ruling constituents include the HAM of Jitan Ram Manjhi (4 seats) and the Vikassheel Insaan Party of Mukesh Sahani (4 seats).
Currently, the Cabinet consists of 14 members. This included CM Nitish Kumar. Of these seven are from the BJP, including the two Deputy Chief Ministers -- Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi, and five from the JDU. The two remaining seats were given to HAM and VIP.
The state Cabinet can have up to 36 members.
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