NDA Finalises Bihar Cabinet Blueprint: Seat-Wise Split of Ministerial Berths

The process of forming the next Bihar government gathered momentum on Sunday, with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners beginning discussions on a formula to distribute cabinet berths, according to people familiar with the developments.

Coalition leaders said the alliance is considering a ratio of roughly one ministerial berth for every six MLAs to ensure balanced representation across its constituents — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) or HAM(S).

Under the emerging proposal, one ministerial slot each is likely to go to the RLM and HAM(S), three to the LJP (Ram Vilas), and the remaining 30–31 will be shared between the BJP and JD(U). Some adjustments may occur, and the two deputy chief minister positions could also see changes, a senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity.

The Constitution caps cabinet size at 15% of a state assembly’s strength. With 243 seats, Bihar can have up to 36 ministers, including the chief minister. The NDA swept the recent elections with 202 seats — BJP won 89, JD(U) 85, LJP(RV) 19, HAM(S) 5, and RLM 4.

The outgoing Nitish Kumar-led government had 36 ministers: 21 from the BJP, 13 from JD(U), one from HAM(S), and one Independent. Both deputy chief ministers — BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha — retained their seats comfortably.

A senior JD(U) leader said the division of berths among alliance partners has been “broadly agreed upon.” The new cabinet is expected to blend experienced leaders with first-time ministers. The Speaker’s post, traditionally held by the BJP in recent years, is also likely to go to the party.

HAM(S) founder and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi reiterated that his party has “never demanded” cabinet berths, while RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha said final decisions would be taken soon.

On Sunday, Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal handed over the list of all 243 newly elected MLAs to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, formally setting the process for constituting the 18th Bihar Assembly in motion. The current assembly’s term ends on November 22.

NDA constituents will hold separate meetings of their legislature parties before convening a joint meeting on Monday and Tuesday to elect their leader. Although the alliance has not made a formal announcement, JD(U) leaders have indicated that Nitish Kumar is set to continue as chief minister. LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan also endorsed Kumar’s continuation on Saturday.

As part of the transition, Kumar is expected to submit his resignation to the governor after the final cabinet meeting of the outgoing government on Monday. The swearing-in is likely on November 20, a senior JD(U) functionary said.

The Patna district administration has begun preparations at Gandhi Maidan, which has been closed to the public from November 17 to 20 for the oath-taking ceremony.

Meanwhile, senior JD(U) leaders Sanjay Jha and Rajiv Ranjan ‘Lalan’ Singh, along with BJP leaders including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Vinod Tawde, held consultations with the BJP leadership in Delhi. “Everything will be finalised in the next few days… The new government will take shape soon and ahead of schedule,” Jha said upon returning to Patna.

Several key NDA leaders — including Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai, RLM’s Upendra Kushwaha, deputy CMs Sinha and Choudhary, and senior JD(U) leaders — also met Nitish Kumar separately on Sunday.