Bihar: Nitish Kumar to resign today, likely to be sworn in on the 20th, ministries to be divided according to the old formula

New Delhi. The BJP and JDU have reached an agreement on the formula for government formation in Bihar. Nitish Kumar will be sworn in as Chief Minister for the 10th time. In a meeting late Saturday night with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, JDU’s acting national president Sanjay Jha, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lallan Singh, and BJP President JP Nadda, the decision was made to proceed with the formula of one minister for six MLAs.

The Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), which have fewer than six MLAs, will also be given representation in the government, along with the LJP (R). Sources indicate that the BJP leadership has also held discussions with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha. The outline of the new government was finalized at a meeting of top leaders at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Sunday. LJP (R) chief Chirag Paswan said that discussions are ongoing regarding the government.

Resignation today, oath taking possible on the 20th
Nitish has called a final cabinet meeting on Monday morning. After this, he will submit his resignation to the Governor. He will be elected leader at the NDA Legislature Party meeting on Tuesday or Wednesday, and the new government may be formed on Thursday. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Public entry to the ground has been restricted from the 17th to the 20th.

How many ministries will each be allocated to which party?
The BJP, with 89 seats, will get 15, the JDU, with 85 seats, will get 14, the LJP (R), with 19 seats, will get three, and HAM and RLM will get one ministerial post each. The BJP will appoint two deputy chief ministers as before. The Deputy CM could be from the women’s community that was the architect of the victory. First, the five Pandavas, namely the BJP, JDU, LJP-R, HAM, and RLM, will elect their legislative party leaders. The CM will then be chosen at an NDA meeting.

Another meeting on portfolio allocation
After the government is formed, the portfolio allocation will be discussed. Sources say Nitish will retain the Home and Administration portfolios, as before. The Finance portfolio will remain with the BJP. Another round of meetings will be held between the leadership of the NDA allies on other portfolios.

No doubt about Nitish’s leadership
The BJP leadership does not want to take any risks regarding the stability of the alliance in Bihar. They know that Nitish Kumar’s experience and administrative balance are the only stable option for the alliance. BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal certainly left a layer of uncertainty by stating that the central leadership will make the final decision, but there is clarity within the party that Nitish should move forward.

Women will also receive ministries. Chirag Paswan, after meeting with Nitish, made it clear that he will lead the government. This has created a very positive atmosphere in the JDU camp. Nitish is a common face for smaller allies, as his presence reduces the potential for conflict within the coalition. Seven women may be appointed ministers in the new government. Women voted overwhelmingly for the NDA in the elections, so their participation is being increased.